2026 Angels Roster Prediction 2.0
October 30, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Photo Credit: @MLBTradeRumors - X
In attempt one, we had just finished some interviews with Jared Tims and Taylor Blake Ward, along with a Q&A with Beyond the Halo. I felt decent about the overall direction of my guesses, but with no real locked in manager or payroll expectations we knew even less than we do now, which isn’t much at all. We are sticking to the 25–35-million-dollar AAV sake budget this go around. Let’s dive on in.
General Manager
Perry Minasian has been confirmed to return in 2026 on the final year of his deal. I am sure there are additional options mixed in there for the future but as of now Perry and team will take another crack at ending the playoff drought.
Prediction in 1.0: Correctly picked Perry Minasian to Return
On Field Manager
Since my first swing at offseason predictions the Angels have hired Kurt Suzuki to lead the club on the field. Perry and Minasian will be tied at the hip as the two of them are on 1-year guarantees.
Prediction in 1.0: Incorrectly picked Torii Hunter to be named manager.
Catcher
At Catcher we stick with our initial prediction. No need to change what seems locked in here. Logan O’Hoppe gets the majority of starts, working with a personalized catching coach, with Travis d’Arnaud getting the bulk of spot starts at Catcher and potentially some at 1B.
Prediction in 1.0: O’Hoppe as starter with d’Arnaud as backup.
First Base
I almost moved him to left field in this prediction round. I just couldn’t find a financial fit for first base or left to keep Matthew Lugo in AAA or on the bench. Nolan Schanuel holds this spot, and while I feel he is a lock for opening day, the position I am less than sure of.
Prediction in 1.0: Schanuel is starting at first base.
Second Base
At 2nd base the Angels rely on former first round pick Christian Moore to take a big step forward, with Denzer Guzman and others on bench in relief at times.
Prediction in 1.0: Moore seizes the starting 2B job.
Shortstop
Zach Neto… EXTEND HIM NOW. Next question.
Prediction in 1.0: Zach Neto. I am not changing anything here.
Third Base
The Angels bring a So Cal native and a true veteran gamer to the lineup to play alongside Neto on the left side. Nolan Arenado is the Angels third basemen for the final few years of a near HOF career.
Prediction in 1.0: Angels ink Isiah Kiner-Falefa to a 1-year contract.
Left Field
Matthew Lugo broke onto the scene in a huge way in 2025. Big timely power led to a fun run but lack of defense in center and a cool down lead to being sent back down to Salt Lake. Lugo gets a chance early on in the season but if struggles persist, look for him to be demoted again and Rada to take over center with our next positions opening day starter being shifted to left field.
Prediction in 1.0: Ward Keeps is spot in LF.
Center Field
Someone I mentioned recently in an opinion article about free agent targets was Cedric Mullins. I wanted him badly last offseason to anchor center and think with 1-year deals for Perry and Kurt, we see them try a 1-year bandage in a vet like Mullins. He’s affordable, a LHH with power and has played the position, even if not at a high defensive level recently.
Prediction in 1.0: Angels swing big and trade for Michael Harris II of the Braves.
Right Field
This one I am not going to budge on. He broke out big this year and there may be a bit more to him as well. Lock Jo Adell into right moving forward.
Prediction in 1.0: Adell holds his spot in RF.
Designated Hitter
Mike Trout needs to stay at DH as much as possible. I feel good here on this one and keeping him off the field.
Prediction in 1.0: Mike Trout stays hitting daily with very little field play.
Bench
The bench will be staying largely the same as our first prediction minus Kyren Paris. Paris is replaced on the bench by Denzer Guzman who had a decent showing in some time down the stretch this season. Bench Bryce Teodosio, Travis d’Arnaud, Oswald Peraza and Denzer Guzman.
Prediction in 1.0: Teodosio, d’Arnaud, Peraza and Kyren Paris
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.
Brady Singer – Brady Singer got moved last year as the Royals searched for a bat. I think now the Reds do the same with the right-handed pitcher.
Reid Detmers – Perry Minasian has since announced that Reid will return to the rotation locking in this spot in the rotation.
Adrian Houser joins the Angels on a 1-year 5 million dollar contract. The Angels take a chance on what has been a backend arm who flashed something a little more early in the year before tailing off following the trade to Tampa.
Prediction in 1.0: Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, Dustin May, Marcus Stroman and Caden Dana
Bullpen
The Angels have quite a few changes from our original prediction. I moved Ryan Zeferjahn away to the Phillies along with a salary dump of Soler for Orion Kerkering. The Angels still resign Kenley Jansen to the same deal. Detmers moves back to the rotation giving us the following bullpen:
Prediction in 2.0: Kenley Jansen, Kyle Finnegan, Brock Burke, Chase Silseth, Orion Kerkering, Sam Bachman, Ryan Johnson and Sam Aldegheri.
Prediction in 1.0: Kenley Jansen, Ryan Zeferjahn, Brock Burke, Chase Silseth, Sam Bachman, Reid Detmers, Ryan Johnson and Robert Stephenson
Offseason Major League Moves
Signing Kenley Jansen 1 year 10 million dollars
Trade Jorge Soler and 7 million dollars to the Phillies along with Ryan Zeferjahn in exchange for Orion Kerkering. (Saves 6 million dollars)
Angels Trade Taylor Ward to the Reds in exchange for Brady Singer saving the Angels roughly 1.8 million dollars.
Angels sign Cedric Mullins to a 1-year 9-million-dollar contract.
Angels Sign Kyle Finnegan to a 1-year 7-million-dollar contract.
Angels Sign Adrian Houser to a 1-year 5-million-dollar contract.
Angels acquire Nolan Arenado along with 5 million in both 2026 and 2027 in exchange for Caden Dana and Kyren Paris.
Recap
The Angels are going to act with desperation this offseason. For better or worse we are going to see an active Perry Minasian I truly believe. He is doing this for his job and Kurt Suzuki’s now. The Angels make nearly all 1-year deals to line them up for a new general manager in 2027, but still give themselves some moveable pieces should they look to sell in July. My final predictions will be out after the General Manager meetings shortly after the world series. Let me know where you see this team finishing in terms of record and placing. Is it better than the 1.0 predictions, or worse?
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