The Los Angeles Angels aren’t known for spending lots of money in free agency. Well, except for possibly the worst contract in Major League Baseball history.
Of course, I am alluding to the Anthony Rendon signing back in December 2019. Coming off a World Series win with the Washington Nationals that year, Rendon was the most highly-touted free agent in the class.
He signed a massive seven-year, $245 million contract with the Angels with a full no-trade clause and no opt-outs and it has been nothing short of a disaster. Not counting the 2020 COVID season when Rendon played 52 games, he hasn’t suited up more than 58 times in a season as an Angel.
You read that right. From 2021 to 2024, Rendon’s games played are as follows: 58, 47, 43, 57. It has gotten to the point where Rendon literally hates baseball. Los Angeles is paying him to stay home; that’s how bad the situation is. He didn’t play in 2025.
There’s a reason the Angels never spend like this, because of players like Rendon who is legally robbing the franchise.
Owner Arte Moreno and general manager Perry Minasian have been subject to bottom-barrel signings in recent years, like veteran right-handers Kyle Hendricks and Yusei Kikuchi.
However, the Angels actually showed some life this season despite finishing 72-90, which could make the front office want to invest more into the team. New manager Kurt Suzuki will need a top of the rotation type of starting pitcher to get through the season, and there’s a former Cy Young winner needing a fresh start.
Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen is an intriguing name on the free agent market, and it wouldn’t hurt the Angels to try and snag him for cheap.
“Does anyone want to play for the Angels? Their recent free agent signings have been more of the third-tier type, but they have room in the payroll and two pitchers from their 2025 rotation hitting free agency in Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks,” ESPN’s David Schoenfield wrote Monday. “They signed Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year, $63 million deal last offseason and might do something similar this offseason with a starter like Gallen.”
Gallen, 30, had a season to forget. He made 33 starts and pitched to a 4.83 ERA with a 1.26 WHIP while boasting a 13-15 record.
Gallen could use a change of scenery and Arizona was floating his name in trade talks at the trade deadline. Los Angeles should go for it.