The Los Angeles Angels were one of the busiest clubs around Major League Baseball when the offseason kicked off, and now that the crop of free agents has thinned out to the middle tier, they are still pursuing options at positions of need.
General manager Perry Minasian has conducted a pretty thorough and productive free agency period with the signings of Tyler Anderson, Carlos Estévez, and Brandon Drury, banking on players who flashed immense upside this past season. Acquiring Hunter Renfroe and Gio Urshela in trades were solid moves, mainly because of their position heading into their final year of salary arbitration.
The Angels are heading into a very important regular season, potentially franchise-altering because Shohei Ohtani’s future hangs in the balance. According to reports, Minasian continues to search for help at multiple areas of the roster, via Jim Bowden of The Athletic:
They’re now focused on acquiring a shortstop, more bullpen depth and another starting pitcher.
This report is important because the Angels certainly can’t feel comfortable with David Fletcher and his light bat, and uncertain health status, manning their shortstop position. Drury could see time there, but he’s more suited to play second base, possibly some first, and if need-be spell Anthony Rendon at third.
In 2022, they had to dip into their Minor League depth with Andrew Velazquez and Livian Soto to play shortstop, and their production left a lot to be desired.
Luis Rengifo had a bit of a career-best stretch, which could mean more time at short in his future, but he has not played there extensively. Minasian should feel comfortable with what he currently has, but players like Jose Iglesias or Elvis Andrus are still available on the open market.
Perry Minasian is focused on Angels roster, despite the potential sale of the team
Minasian has maintained his plan to block out any noise surrounding the ongoing search for a buyer of the franchise.
With negotiations possibly pushing $3 billion, the asking price alone is enough to understand the length of time it takes to sell a professional team. On the field, the Angels have an incredibly important season ahead with their high expectations.
Minasian has already boosted the roster to surround Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani with more talent to hopefully make the playoffs again, but the potential sale of the team does present a potential distraction.
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