The Los Angeles Angels have several decisions to make with their roster personnel, including their pursuit of Shohei Ohtani, and how to better fortify their roster.
General manager Perry Minasian remains in place following his assistant GM Alex Tamin exiting the organization, but their focus remains on the big league roster and the important trickle down through the Minor League ranks.
The 2024 payroll for the Angels is projected to leave them with a shade over $100 million in competitive balance tax space. This allows them to be both aggressive with bringing in veteran guys to be bridge players in positions of need, and be serious buyers in the market for big name guys.
With numerous players still in pre-arbitration, the Angels have to focus on their 10 arbitration eligible contracts.
Arbitration-Eligible Players
Griffin Canning
Canning is projected to make earn $2.5 million in 2024, a sizeable bump from his $850,000 he earned this past season. Entering his age-28 season, the right-handers return from a back injury in 2022 was a serious hindrance in returning to the diamond.
But he was very solid in 2023, posting a 3.91 ERA in the second half of the year, with a 1.28 WHIP.
Brett Phillips
The 29-year-old was brought into the organization in January, and while he spent a few stints in Triple-A, his value to the Angels wasn’t much more than a plus-defender in the outfield. His hidden pop from the left-side was valuable, but not enough to earn him a sizeable role.
He’s projected to receive a bump to $1.4 million, but he could be at risk of being non-tendered by the club.
Luis Rengifo
2023 was a step-up for the switch-hitting infielder, and he unfortunately suffered a rupture in his biceps tendon at the end of the year. He’s projected to receive strong pay bump to $4.2 million, which is rightfully earned.
Rengifo posted a .783 on-base plus slugging with 16 home runs, 51 RBI and 55 runs scored. Over his last 30 games to end his season, he carried a .355/.398/.570 slash with five homers and 17 RBI, which proved to be his strongest stretch.
Jaime Barria
Jaime Barria is slate to earn a projected raise to around $1.5 million, but he’s another candidate that could be let go by the club.
The 27-year-old struggled mightily this season, logging a 5.68 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, with just 62 strikeouts over 34 appearances. His role as a mop up arm can be found elsewhere, and is a strong option to be non-tendered.
Chad Wallach
The Angels brought Chad Wallach back for a second consecutive season with the team, and after making league-minimum this past year, he’s set to receive $1.1 million, per Spotrac. The club is likely to let him go, to bring him back as a depth catcher in the organization.
Taylor Ward
Ward came into the season having a serious role in the Angels offense, and at various points, he looked as advertised.
The 29-year-old suffered a scary injury after being hit in the face by a pitch late in the season, which halted a strong stretch of play. Ward put up a .756 OPS with 14 home runs and 47 RBI, and when he went down with injury, he had a .309/.418/.655 slash in his prior 15 games.
Ward is projected to earn $4.5 million in 2024, which the Angels should have no issue locking in.
Patrick Sandoval
The veteran left-hander feels as if he’s been a part of the club for more years than most, and will see his largest, projected, pay raise. An arbitration number of $5 million is fine for a middle of the rotation arm, and at times, he’s been much better than average and will be a solid piece next year.
Sandoval carried a 4.11 ERA, 1.51 WHIP with 128 strikeouts over 144.2 innings pitched.
Jared Walsh
This is a tricky spot for the Angels, after Walsh dealt with some medical issues prior to the year. He came back to log 104 at-bats, only being able to muster a .495 OPS with four homers and 11 RBI.
Jose Suarez
The 2023 season for Suarez was about as odd as it comes for a member of the Angels roster. After two straight seasons with ERA’s under 4.00, his production blew up as he hit a wall.
Suarez posted an 8.29 ERA, 1.96 WHIP over 33.2 innings. He was placed on the injured list with a left-shoulder strain and if effectively derailed his season.
At just $1.1 million, the Angels are likely to retain him, hoping his season was a blip on the radar.
Jose Quijada
Quijada succumbed to Tommy John surgery early on in 2023 and is projected to earn $1.1 million.
With opportunities to pitch in high-leverage innings for the Angels due to his high-powered arsenal, he’ll likely remain with the team to rehab and contribute later in the year.
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