The Los Angeles Angels still have a few weeks before the offseason really kicks into high gear. At that time, they’ll have some big decisions to make as they figure out exactly what they want their team to look like in 2025. The Angels finally have some youth to build around — and exciting young talent like Caden Dana and Christian Moore — but will need more help if they want to compete next season.
The Angels could do this by being active on the free agent market. However, they are likely to get priced out on some of the biggest names and the next tier down may not serve as enough of an improvement to be worthwhile. This leaves the trade avenue to improve, something the Angels have tried and have been unsuccessful at in recent years.
If L.A. is to go that route, it seems that only Dana and Moore would be completely off the table with some other exceptions, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
If the Halos dip into their farm system to add Major League talent, nobody is untouchable except No. 1 prospect Caden Dana (the No. 68 prospect in baseball) and No. 2 prospect Christian Moore (No. 71). Los Angeles is also not likely to trade newly acquired prospects such as right-handers George Klassen (No. 3), Ryan Johnson (No. 5) or Chris Cortez (No. 10); or lefty Sam Aldegheri (No. 8).
General manager Perry Minasian has been unwavering on his stance that there is no such thing as too much pitching since he entered the mix in Anaheim. And the way he has built out his farm system certainly shows that. It seems he has no interest in dealing top pitching prospects this offseason.
And with where the Angels are at, it might be best to find a path to competing that doesn’t involving parting with these prospects, even if that means spending a bit more on free agents. L.A. finally has momentum on youth, and it would be unwise to part with it so quickly.
Angels likely to tender contracts to Jose Suarez and Griffin Canning
Suarez, 26, and Canning, 28, are coming off of difficult 2024 seasons. Suarez posted a 6.02 ERA and 1.605 WHIP in 52.1 innings over 22 appearances. It signaled a slight improvement from 2023 but not enough to justify being a full-time Major League player.
Canning pitched the most innings of his career (171.2) but struggled to piece together quality stretches. He finished the year with a 5.19 ERA and 1.398 WHIP, leading the American League in earned runs (99).
Both are entering what is officially their third MLB campaign by service time rules, putting them in their final year of pre-arbitration and giving the Angels complete control over their contracts. And although neither one performed well in 2024, it is reportedly likely that both are back with the team next season.