Angels gamble on one-year rentals, spending a mere $20 million after a dismal season. Will cheap fixes deliver results, or is another losing year inevitable?
The Los Angeles Angels will have many new faces suiting up for them during the 2026 campaign, with the front office making several trades and free agent signings this offseason. Still, the Angels are one of the lowest-spending teams this winter.
It shines a light on the strategy of the Halos’ front office – short-term deals over any long-term commitment. It’s been the strategy of the higher-ups in Anaheim for some time now, with only a few free-agent deals made in recent history for multiple years. After signing left-hander Yusei Kikuchi to a three-year deal last offseason, the Angels have been content with only giving out one-year rentals since then.
The Angels brought in multiple relievers to make up for their bullpen losses. Left-hander Drew Pomeranz signed the dotted line on a one-year, $4 million deal, and right-hander Jordan Romano signed for $2 million for the 2026 season.
Former All-Star Kirby Yates was also brought in to reinforce the Halos’ bullpen for one year and $5 million. Lastly, left-handed Brent Suter was the final bullpen piece to be signed from free agency on a one-year, $1.25 million deal.
Outside of the bullpen, the Angels also brought back third baseman Yoan Moncada for the 2026 season for $4 million. Former rising star starting pitcher Alek Manoah signed for $1.95 million himself back in December.
Many names that will play a key role for the Angels in 2026 were brought in from the free agent market, but none are set to be in Anaheim past this year. Despite a 90-loss season in 2025, the Angels haven’t brought in any players that’ll have a serious impact on the direction of the club – more one-year rentals that couldn't possibly do enough by themselves to get the Angels out of the bottom of the standings.
Spending just $20.6 million in free agency this offseason, the Angels are on a path for another last-place finish in the American League West – fourth-place if they’re lucky. It’s especially shameful considering the club freed up tens of millions of dollars by restructuring Anthony Rendon’s contract.
Instead of making use of the club’s sudden influx of cash and signing one of free agency's best players, owner Arte Moreno is keeping it for himself. It’s another example of the front office's incompetence, and it’s the reason why they are middle-of-the-pack in payroll but will again finish near the bottom of the league’s standings in 2026.