Times are tough for the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels missed the playoffs again in 2025, finishing with a
Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report predicted when each non-playoff team would make the postseason. For the Angels, they fell into this category: "Likely no earlier than 2027." The Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals are also in that category with the Angels.
Here's what Rymer wrote:
"It's fair to say the Angels beat expectations this year, for which it helped that they walloped 226 home runs. Zach Neto and Jo Adell pitched in 63 in what was a hugely encouraging year for both. The other positive development was that Mike Trout played in 130 games, but his prime remains firmly in the rearview. And even if the Angels wanted to move him, he's probably untradeable on account of the $185.6 million remaining on his contract through 2030," Rymer wrote.
Yes, Trout playing that many games is encouraging. However, the Angels decided not to bring back Ray Montgomery or Ron Washington, meaning a new manager is coming to town again.
Another issue is the massive contract for Anthony Rendon, who simply has not lived up to expectations since signing a massive seven-year, $245 million deal in 2019.
"As the Angels are also on the hook for $38.6 million to Anthony Rendon next year, they need to keep building from within until they get real financial relief. And that is where things have not been going well for a long time, in part because they insist on draft quick fixes over genuine long-term upside," Rymer added.
It also doesn't help that the Angels finished 30th in batting average (.225) despite slugging 226 home runs. The team ERA was 4.89, which is towards the bottom of baseball, so work needs to be done all around for the Angels.
With all that, 2026 seems like a stretch, especially with the Seattle Mariners emergence, Houston Astros being close to the postseason, and the Texas Rangers also bringing back a lot of pieces in 2026.
The term "Maybe next year" might be changed to "Maybe in 2027" for the Angels.