The Los Angeles Angels let the biggest fish of free agency swim away when two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani spurned the Halos in favor of a behemoth $700 million contract with the L.A. Dodgers just up the 5 Freeway. Another premier free agent, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, also joined the Dodgers. Several other top free agents have found a home, meaning Perry Minasian and the Angels are starting to run low on options.
The Angels have committed to their fans that — regardless of Ohtani’s decision — they would look to win in 2024 and not rebuild. They have, on paper, a solid roster that could contend for a postseason spot if health permits. But they are a few pieces away from being legitimate threats in the American League.
Minasian isn’t worried about the players who have already signed, though. He has full faith that there remain enough strong free agents on the board for the Angels to improve their roster, according to Jeff Fletcher of The O.C. Register:
Angels GM Perry Minasian: "There's still a lot of players out there and we're sitting here early January and with a lot of different options to help this club improve in a lot of different areas."
Per usual, he wouldn't comment on any specific targets.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) January 6, 2024
Perhaps the top free agents on the board are star defensive outfielder Cody Bellinger and Platinum Glove infielder Matt Chapman. Chapman, a third baseman, is an unlikely target for the Angels who still owe $114 million to Anthony Rendon over the next three seasons.
Bellinger is a legitimate option that has had minor rumored connections to the Halos. There is also Blake Snell — a heavily reported Angels target — Marcus Stroman and Jordan Montgomery on the pitcher market. So while many of the big fish are signed, Minasian does have a point with being patient.
As per usual, Minasian declined to name any specific targets. But he has not wavered from the concept that the Angels will be competing for the postseason in 2024.
Ron Washington taking 2024 season one day at a time
Based solely on the language coming from Washington and the Angels organization, L.A. is going to try and win this season even after losing their two-way phenom to the cross-town rival L.A. Dodgers. Washington rejected the idea that the Angels could be rebuilding before going into his focus for 2024.
Washington is not looking too far ahead, but he knows for sure that the Angels are going to put the best product on the field as possible:
“There ain’t no rebuild here,” Washington said. “I’m not thinking about the division right now. I’m thinking about preparation, getting prepared for a season. Once we get prepared and ready for the season, I’m ready for whatever comes in front of us. My players will be ready for whatever comes in front of us. That’s the attitude you’ve got to have in the game of baseball, and then you take it a day at a time.”