Fanmail Friday #13 - Searching for Hope in 2026
September 19, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Photo Credit: @Angels - X
Happy Friday to all of you. Thank you for another round of questions. As the Angels get closer to the end of what has been another poor season we almost get to the part of the year where we can try to piece together some hope for next year when I am sure Arte and whoever is in charge of the front office and the on field manager will say we are hoping to compete for a playoff spot. So let’s get straight into it.
Q: You think Perry stays or goes? - @cory.estrella.756 & @arman_of_steel
A: I think at this point under the ownership of Arte Moreno whether or not Perry is here or not the results will remain the same. I think Perry will have to latch back on as a AGM, likely in Atlanta when is tenure ends, but he is plenty smart enough to put together a ballclub. That being said After a club worst record in 2024 and the abysmal second half this club has had in 2025 I find it hard to believe we can go into next season preaching hopes of playoffs without significant change. I would not be surprised if he is around in 2026, but as of now, I lean towards a new general manager in 2026.
Q: Should Angels try to sign Trent Grisham and Pete Alonso? – @George.Montana1991
A: In short I don’t see either as necesarrily likely. Grisham a glove first CF would take at bats away from Teodosio or Rada, both of which are already glove first CF options on the roster. I know Grisham has had arguably his best season at the plate this year, but with what I see as limited funds going into the offseason, I believe they stay in house for CF. As for Alonso he just doesn’t fit the current roster. You’d have to play Schanuel out of position or trade him for reinforcements elsewhere and I think again money will be tight this offseason and best to use those resources elsewhere.
Q: Confidence the Angels make the playoffs next year? – tyler_guzman8 & @j.l.rod
A: Much lower than it was say at the allstar break. I don’t love seeing two years straight with Neto having injuries in the second half and this club just hasn’t shown anything learned from last season on staying competetive into the end of the year. I think they should again get better in 2026 and sneak into high 70’s with wins maybe even crack into low 80’s. But as currently constructed I think 2027 is much more likely at the current moment. I hope I’m wrong, but this team as to earn any more trust than that. To throw a percentage at it, let’s go with 10%.
Q: Any surprise or big moves this offseason? @Jonah.anderson10
A: I think a surprise is that they look elsewhere for catching. I don’t think O’Hoppe has a locked in major league spot, and at least he shouldn’t. His defense is abysmal and the bat is way to streaky without even passable defense. I think with his athleticism they should test him in a corner outfield spot or even potentially 3B, though 3B would not give him a spot to really take stress of defense off his plate. Other surprises are I think they could look to move on from Jose Soriano and do think Ward is finally moved. The Angels won’t be big spenders in my opinion this offseason so they will need to get creative, which they typically don’t do, or go with more of the same in 2026.
Q: Why does Arte refuse to get a REAL Ace + #2 SP when year in and year out SP is the problem? @zach_hanson
A: Quite simpily, he just has never spent what it takes to acquire and keep an Ace. I think and we’ve seen he believes in getting the “everyday player” super star. Now it hasn’t worked, at all, but that has been how he operates. Bartolo Colon at the time being the exception. He did add a number 2 in Kikuchi last year. Perhaps he adds a similar type arm in this offseason, Shane Bieber or Dylan Cease, both of which combined with Kikuchi would be a quality 1-2 punch.
Q: Why is Benji Gil not in the list for potential managers, but Pujols is? @alandrocmoficial
A: While he has that 2002 world series with the Angels, I don’t think he is a big enough name for Arte. I know it’s petty and dumb, but I think Arte wants the big shiny name that was a household name. Joe Maddon and Ron Washington both have that type of name. To move on from Wash following a year he would’ve finished out if not for health I think it has to be a household name he can sell to himself as worth it.
Q: What do you think that Guzman will play Next year? 3B? @nogui_munguia10
A: I brought this up to a few people I talk Angels with pretty regularly, one of which has a good feel and knowledge for Angels prospects, and the resounding answer is he shouldn’t be. I think he has a great glove and floor of utility guy I can trust for a few weeks when an injury occurs, but I think he slides into the Rengifo role next year rotating around as Neto/Moore/3B need days off.
Q: How do they treat free agency? Dream offseason? Mix of questions here from @greg_titiriga & cole_huf07
A: I think they have a similar year to past few, I think they grab one guy on a 10 million plus 2-3 year deal and than work around the fringes and reclamation players. I do think they bring back Jansen in 2026 so maybe we get to players above the 10 million mark. Forgetting players, a dream offseason begins and ends with Arte selling the team. In reference to part of Greg’s question that is the light at the end of the tunnel. That is not to say that Neto/Schanuel don’t provide some light. We probably get to see Bremmer/Rada/Klassen/Dana play significant roles in 2026 which will be fun. But in a wasted 2nd half of this season we should’ve seen more of those AA/AAA guys in limited time. A dream player I’d love though I don’t see him leaving Toronto is convincing Bo Bichette to move to 3B and play him next to Neto for the next near decade. Also as @david3strada said. Extend Zach Neto.
Q: How far away are we from being contenders? (Realistically) @brysondoesyt
A: Playoff contenders. Maybe as soon as next year, if everything goes perfect which it never does. Realistically 2027 after the Rendon contract is off the books along with few other contracts. World Series contenders, I mean anytime you’re in the playoffs there is a chance. But against my heart and what baseball wants to see I think post Mike Trouts contract. The amount of money tied up to him as well as Rendon for middling production from a DH only is terrifying. I think we will see him in the playoffs again, but in a more minimal role.
Q: Does Mike Trout hit one more homer or are we waiting till next season? @bgb_1996
A: I do think he pulls it off this year. I really didn’t think this was a question going into this year if he stayed as healthy as he has but he has a lot to work on this offseason, especially in the strike out and power portion of his game. Usually when K’s go up, so does power at end of career but he has been zapped by his lower half and can’t catch up to the high heat at all this year.
Q: Do you think O’Hoppe will be on the opening day lineup next year or will he be optioned? @rosiemariegianninogarcia
A: I personally don’t as of right now. I know they will say he is, but I just don’t see how you go into next year with him as he currently stands. I think he should’ve been sent to AAA this season, no matter his past numbers or being such a fan favorite. He has a lot of work to do to stick at the MLB level and I don’t think he’s there right now. He needs to find his swing and I think there is a chance Angels are forced to eventually consider him a change of scenery candidate if they keep him in or near everyday role right now.
Q: What do you think about our 3rd base situation? @callanm1258
A: It’s not ideal. They drafted two college performers this year who may get cups of coffee at somepoint in future but will need to see results over next year before getting excited there. Overall, as I mentioned earlier Bichette is my dream here. Defense may not wow everyone, but just love his game and attitude and think he’d fit with young guys and bring some much needed contact. Realistically I think IKF is the opening day 3rd basemen going into 2026. Hopefully they aim higher, but hard to imagine paying that much to another 3rd basemen with Rendon still on payroll.
Q: I know we have many young core players but what would you think about a rebuild? @a1exca1deron
A: We are in one and have been in one without declaring it. I just think it won’t happen. Angels could have done it this year or any of the last decade they haven’t. I would. I had hopes pre adding relievers that they would move anyone and everyone not named Neto/Schanuel. Wanted to sell high on Kikuchi/Soriano/Detmers get what you can for rentals and really come out of this year with top 10-15 farm and a ton of payroll. Won’t happen but it should’ve.
Q: Pros and cons of each potential manager for next year? Your favorite option? @everbarrera
A: Ron Washington being first, the pros are the guys love him, he does bring a certain level of wisdom this club has benefited from and familiarity in what could be Minasians last year. Cons we have seen it, even though I wonder if anything would’ve been different this year (It wouldn’t have) but think you can only hear the same stuff so many times in failed seasons and not need some change. Albert Pujols pros are simple, well respected and great knowledge of hitting along with being a proven winner. Think he could help some on our hitting, but the cons being we don’t know how he’d use pitching and no experience. Torii Hunter pros are we all loved Torii and it'd be great to have a leader like him, a vocal leader in this club house. Cons are the pure lack of coaching. He’s been away from the game a bit and I wonder what type of coach he’d be. Skip Schumaker is my dream candidate. He did wonderful with Marlins, and would bring a certain level of analytics to the staff. Cons are I don’t think he leaves Texas. I think he waits out Bochy and becomes their manager for the next 5-10 years.
Q: What was your favorite Angels moment of the year? @halo_boots
A: The sweep of the Dodgers both times. The energy this team played with and showed I was really hoping carried an extra few days. It didn’t but those series were fun to watch us have the upperhand on them even when it made no logical sense why.
Q: Will we win another game this year? @beingpatrick
A: Yes I do believe the Angels will win another game this year… Or I hope. 7 straight losses currently isn’t promising and they are just playing worse and worse. But I do think they get lucky one more time this year.
Thank you all for the questions this week. Plenty more to come this offseason and with as many questions as this team has from top to bottom, along with the Skaggs trial coming soon. Keep those questions coming and look forward to better days in the future for our Angels.
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