Despite a flurry of offseason moves, the Angels remain near MLB's bottom, facing another losing season with significant roster holes unfilled.
The Los Angeles Angels have been in the headlines more than most MLB teams this offseason, bringing in several new faces via free agency and the trade market. While it’s always exciting to see your team shake up the roster, not much has changed for the Halos in the grand scheme of things.
The pitching staff will look much different in Anaheim in 2026, with new additions in the rotation and in the bullpen. Starters Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah will get their go in the rotation, while relievers Drew Pomeranz, Kirby Yates, and Jordan Romano will reshape how the Angels look in relief next season. Some additions to the lineup have also been made, trading for infielder Vaughn Grissom and outfielder Josh Lowe.
Even with the several new faces joining the Angels' clubhouse this spring, there’s a legitimate question to be asked about whether or not their roster is better than what they entered 2025 with.
Multiple key players for the Halos during the 2025 campaign will not be returning in 2026, and the Angels may not be able to fill their holes. Relievers Kenley Jansen, Brock Burke, Andrew Chafin, Luis Garcia, and Connor Brogdon have all left the Angels this winter. Starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, outfielder Taylor Ward, and infielder Luis Rengifo are also key losses for the club heading into 2026.
The Angels have been active in trying to fill the gaps left by their departing players, but their moves are still not enough to move the needle for the club. It’s why they continue to be ranked near the bottom of the league, with Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter ranking the Angels at the No. 25 spot a month away from spring training.
After finishing in last place in the American League West after losing 90 games, the Halos look to be on a path for another poor season in Anaheim. Fans have become used to exactly that, failing to win over 80 games since the 2015 season.
The new additions for the Angels are enough to have fans tune in when the season starts, but the lack of real change in the franchise will wane off any excitement once it’s seen that 2026 will be yet another losing season. Their No. 25 ranking is a deserved one, despite having one of the busiest winters in the league.