The Los Angeles Angels went into this week’s Winter Meetings with the prospect that they were remaining aggressive to improve their roster for the 2025 season. The four-day annual event came and went, and the Angels did not make any moves. However, general manager Perry Minasian believes he laid the groundwork for later moves this offseason.
One of those potential moves is reportedly in the outfield. On Tuesday, the second-to-last day of the Winter Meetings, it seemed the Angels were close on dealing an unnamed outfielder.
The rumor was reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB Network, who theorized on who the outfielder might be based on what he’s heard.
The Angels appear to be close to trading an outfielder, per source. Taylor Ward has been generating a lot of interest, so it would not be a surprise if it’s him.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) December 10, 2024
Taylor Ward has been in trade talks for some time with the Angels. However, when Arte Moreno and Minasian turned the focus towards winning in 2025, those talks quieted. If the Angels were going to trade Ward, it would likely be to improve in the outfield, not get worse.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that the Angels would be trading Ward for a direct improvement. But if the Halos feel they have a better outfielder — ideally a center fielder — available via trade or free agency, it might be worth getting some prospects for Ward while they still can.
Of course, that trade did not end up materializing during Winter Meetings as it was suggested, but this could be part of the groundwork that Minasian hinted at. Either way, the Angels appear nowhere close to being done as they build out their 2025 roster.
Angels land No. 2 pick in 2025 MLB Draft
The Angels will select No. 2 overall in the 2025 MLB Draft, as determined by the Draft Lottery on Tuesday afternoon. They had the third-best odds at landing the No. 1 overall pick, but move up one spot for the highest Angels draft pick in nearly 30 years. It’s the first time in franchise history they are selecting at this position.
This is just the fifth time in the history of the MLB Draft that the Angels are selecting in the top three. They haven’t picked in the top three since 1997, when they drafted infielder Troy Glaus with the No. 3 overall pick. In 1995, they selected Darin Erstad at No. 1. Both won the World Series with the Angels in 2002.
The Angels get rewarded with a top pick after leaning into a full rebuild in 2024. They lost a franchise-record 99 games when Shohei Ohtani left in free agency and the Halos cut significant costs in other parts of their roster. Their 2024 payroll was over $70 million lower than 2023.