2026 Angels Roster Forecast: Version 1.0
September 27, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Michael Harris II since the All-Star Break
— Brady Penn (@bradypenn21) July 27, 2025
.400 AVG (12-30)
6 XBH
1.175 OPS
150 WRC+ (Entering tonight)
Money 💸💸💸 pic.twitter.com/ALD3DtcRMC
This week after taking some time interviewing the likes of Beyond the Halo, Taylor Blake Ward and Jared Tims I wanted to take a swing at my initial prediction for how the offseason will play out. I say initial swing because I plan to try to update this every few weeks following the conclusion of the World Series. My initial takes following those interviews was that the Halos don’t have much money to spend but they will continue trying to patch together a more competitive roster. For the sake of the first prediction, I am expecting the Angels to have roughly 25-35 million dollars in room to add so don’t expect an individual big signing.
General Manager
Starting at the helm of who actually will be constructing this roster I believe it will again be Perry Minasian leading the way and seeing his team through. I’m not sure there is much improvement to be had at the General Manager position being that Arte will be Arte regardless of the general manager. I also think with some off the field issues to deal with this offseason, that the last thing Arte company want to do is start a wide net search for a general manager. For all the knocks he can take Perry has added youth to the organization, and I believe we will see a jump in the national media perception of the farm by the end of next season.
On Field Manager
Ron Washington for his flaws should be back next season in my opinion. Had he not had a severe medical scare he would’ve managed the team the entirety of this season, and we more than likely wouldn’t even be wondering if he’s back next year following him saying that he’d love to return if offered the chance. Unfortunately for him in his absence and on field struggles that continued over the Washington tenure, I believe Arte Moreno has begun to look elsewhere for better or worse, and in a time of possible turbulence will want to do something he believes excites the fans. I’ve swayed back and forth on who he thinks is better positioned to lead the team between Torii Hunter and Albert Pujols and landed on none other than Torii Hunter. The two of them hammered out a deal at a Del Taco in Corona California many years ago and in addition to being one of the few free agents splashes that was an absolute success, Torii was absolutely loved by the Halo Nation. Adding on to that, he is also likely the last vocal leader the Angels had and something the team that seems punchless at times could absolutely use. While I think Albert will continue to look elsewhere for employment, especially considering past whispers that he and Hunter didn’t always see eye-to-eye, I would love him to be a bench coach or hitting coach as his knowledge of the game and plate would be absolutely a good thing. My wish here would be Skip Schumaker but he likely doesn’t leave Texas and like a Benji Gil, isn’t going to be the type of name Arte moves on from a baseball legend like Ron Washington for.
Catcher
Catcher, while I believe they should add and move Logan O’Hoppe off the position is likely a cut and paste of the 2025 Angels. Look for O’Hoppe and Travis d’Arnaud to continue splitting time and hopefully Logan is able to regain his early season form at the plate while improving his defense to an acceptable level.
First Base
Like catcher, first base is a cut and paste. Former first rounder Nolan Schanuel has taken this job and will be the first basemen for the considerable future.
Second Base
Christian Moore may not have lit the world on fire the way he did his final year at Tennessee or in Double-A pre knee injury in 2024, but he has provided the power that was to be expected and should be penciled in at the keystone for at least the next half decade.
Shortstop
Zach Neto… EXTEND HIM NOW. Next question.
Third Base
In what should be Anthony Rendon’s last year holding down the hot corner, I will just be glad to count the days till his time on the Angels book ends at the end of next season. To count on him for much if he even made the roster is not something we should do. In fact, I do not believe he is with the team by the end of Spring Training. While Yoán Moncada did a fine job at the position in 2025, I do not believe he is back next season as the team looks to improve their defense at the position. The pick here is an attempt to improve the defense though there will be a downgrade offensively as the Angels move forward with a 1-year contract for Isiah Kiner-Falefa.
Left Field
Taylor Ward was not traded in 2025, and being so and looking to end the playoff drought I think he sticks around till at least next July and is your opening day left fielder in 2026.
Center Field
In what could be the single biggest move of the offseason, I have the Angels making an upside play and trading for Michael Harris II of the Atlanta Braves. Harris who very quickly into his career received a big extension as trended down in all aspects of his game over the last 4 years. The Braves who plan to focus on pitching could look to add table setter Nelson Rada. Pitching Prospects George Klassen and Barrett Kent. The Angels once in the past made a big trade sending top prospect Sean Newcomb to the Braves for a glove first player in Andrelton Simmons. Since Perry was brought on the Braves have been his favorite team to trade with. The Angels here add a quality defender in centerfield with big upside at the plate. All while only adding 9 million to the luxury tax figure. He fits the youth movement and timeline of the Angels being under club control potentially depending on options until the end of the 2032 season.
Photo Credit: @Angels - X
Right Field
Like Ward in left, Jo Adell has stuck around despite bust allegations, defensive woes and trade speculation and turned into a heck of a ball player. 30-40 home run power with now quality defense back in his comfort of right field look for Adell to continue being a middle of the order bat in 2026.
Designated Hitter
Mike Trout may no longer be an MVP candidate or chasing down balls in center field, but he has been able to stay healthy now that he is no longer playing the field and should be the DH of the Angels for the remainder of his career.
The Bench
The bench will be made up as of now with d’Arnaud, Bryce Teodosio, Oswald Peraza and Kyren Paris. With a limited budget and enough guys who fit the bench role already on the 40-man roster. I think they stay in house here as of right now.
Starting Rotation
Yusei Kikuchi – Coming off a quality year 1/3, Kikuchi holds a locked in spot entering 2026.
José Soriano – For the ups and downs he like Kikuchi should not be in question for 2026.
Dustin May – Angels take an upside play here on the still young and uber talented May.
Marcus Stroman – A free agent add after taking the second half of the season off. Similar to the deal for Hendricks in 2025, the Angels take a swing on a veteran in the twilight of their career and hope they take the ball every 5th day.
Caden Dana – I think at some point you will have to see what he is at the major league level and he is further ahead of the rest of the pitching prospects on my board, though it is close. I think he breaks camp as the number five starter.
Bullpen
Making up the eight spots in the bullpen in 2026 I think we see an opening day combination of Kenley Jansen returning on a 1 year 10-million-dollar contract to continue closing for the Halos, Ryan Zeferjahn, Brock Burke, Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman, Reid Detmers, Ryan Johnson and Robert Stephenson. Again, with limited budget I think the Angels stay in house here as well primarily hoping for continued growth for the young arms and continued security in Jansen closing games out.
Offseason Major League Moves
Signing Kenley Jansen 1 year 10 million dollars
Signing Isiah Kiner-Falefa 1 year 2.5 million dollars
Trade Jorge Soler (to anywhere) but for sake of this the Brewers along with 8 million dollars for a PTBNL. This saving roughly 5 million in total.
Marcus Stroman 1 year 5 million plus incentives on innings pitched. The Angels flip the Soler savings immediately into their 4th starter.
Dustin May – 1 year 12.5 million with a second-year mutual option at 12.5 million and a 2- million-dollar buyout.
Angels trade Nelson Rada, George Klassen and Barrett Kent to the Braves for Michael Harris II
Recap
The Angels don’t come away from this offseason a playoff favorite. But they improve. They add youth to the rotation short term and in center long term. They make some upside plays instead of the higher floor. You have a youthful team, and I’d love to swap a IKF for a Nolan Arenado in a trade, or hypothetically going big on an Alex Bregman, but those don’t seem likely at this time. The Angels in here end up spending 34 million in regards to the luxury tax. They fill holes but also set themselves up to still have a huge spending capital in 2026-2027 free agency. They relatively keep themselves where they were this year, but with much more upside. Please let me and our team know your thoughts and who you’d like to see down in the comments down below. Let me know who in this you wouldn’t want added. Can’t wait for the offseason to unfold and we are just about there.
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