The Los Angeles Angels have made the surprising decision to non-tender left-handed starter Patrick Sandoval, making him a free agent this winter.
Sandoval was one of four players the Angels did not tender a contract to for the 2025 season. The others were former top outfield prospect Jordyn Adams, third baseman Eric Wagaman and outfielder Bryce Teodosio. This puts their 40-man roster at 38.
Sandoval had been a staple of the Angels rotation from 2021-24. His breakout campaign was 2022, when he tossed 148.2 innings and posted an ERA of 2.91 with a 1.339 WHIP, 151 strikeouts and a 138 ERA+. That season, he finished two outs shy of recording a no-hitter and gave the Angels significant hope for the future.
The left-hander struggled in 2023, though. His numbers dipped to a 4.11 ERA and 1.514 WHIP with 128 strikeouts in 144.2 innings. But an above replacement-level 109 ERA+ showed that he still had something left in the tank.
His 2024 season was even worse before it abruptly came to an end when it was announced that the southpaw would need Tommy John surgery. He is expected to miss most, if not all, of the 2025 campaign, which is likely the biggest reason for the non-tender.
The Angels are looking to compete in 2025, and giving money to a player who won’t play all season is not necessarily a good use of funds, even if he is a younger starting pitcher with some hope of a bounce-back.
Sandoval, 28, was eligible for arbitration for a third time and was due to earn a slight raise on his $5,025,000 salary in 2024. This move saves the Angels money, as they can now renegotiate with Sandoval on a lesser deal or spend that money elsewhere. Sandoval is now a free agent and could look for a two-year deal because he’s set to miss so much time next year.
The Angels are currently set to have Jose Soriano, Tyler Anderson, Kyle Hendricks, Jack Kochanowicz and Reid Detmers as their five-man rotation to begin the 2025 season.
Angels’ Niko Kavadas wins AFL Offensive Player of the Year
Angels No. 29 prospect Niko Kavadas has had a whirlwind 2024 season. He began the year with the Boston Red Sox in their Triple-A affiliate, then was traded at the deadline to the Angels as part of a multi-player package for Luis Garcia. He debuted with the Angels at the MLB level shortly after and by the end of the regular season had hit four Major League homers.
The Angels then opted to send him to the Arizona Fall League for some extra reps. There, he played for the Mesa Solar Sox, and was truly dominant. In 91 plate appearances over 20 games, Kavadas slashed .329/.462/.700 with an 1.162 OPS. 13 of his 23 hits were for extra bases, with six doubles, one triple and six home runs. He batted in 18 runs, walked 17 times and struck out 29 times.
That performance rightfully earned him AFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. It was the perfect finishing touch on what has been an incredible year for the first baseman.