The Los Angeles Angels have been, by a wide margin, the most active team in Major League Baseball thus far this offseason. General manager Perry Minasian has made additions in the rotation and infield, mainly, as they look to add ahead of the 2025 season.
Their biggest additions have been starting pitchers Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks along with infielders Scott Kingery and Kevin Newman and designated hitter Jorge Soler. With the plan of improving Major League depth, they have made quality additions that should ensure fewer at-bats and innings with below replacement-level players at the helm.
But Minasian appears to have more work to do, especially with the MLB Winter Meetings slated to start on Dec. 9 in Dallas. The Angels GM said the team is keeping options open, via Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“We’d love to add more and we’re not close-minded,” Minasian said. “We’re going to keep following the trade market, following the free-agent market, and see where it goes. But rotation is still a spot that if we feel like there’s an improvement out there, we’ll look to do it.”
“What we’ve done so far, we’ve been pretty aggressive and we’re going to continue to be aggressive,” Minasian said. “I wouldn’t say anything is off limits. With the year we had, there’s definitely areas to get better. Really, every area, whether it’s rotation, lineup, bullpen, bench depth. We’ll look to tackle and attack all those areas and continue to improve this club.”
A majority of the league’s elite free agents and trade targets are still available. And while it appears unlikely that the Angels would add a nine-figure player this winter, Minasian seems to not be closing the door on that possibility.
Minasian and owner Arte Moreno came into the offseason with a clear plan. And through one month, they have stuck true to it. Now, as the offseason kicks into the highest gear, it will be fascinating to see what they do next.
Angels non-tender Patrick Sandoval
The Angels 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.
His 2024 season 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.
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.