Free Agents the Angels Should Steer Clear Of This Offseason
October 18, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Photo Credit: @MLBTradeRumors - X
As the season winds down most of the teams in baseball are preparing for winters work to get to where the remaining teams are. Trying to improve multiple aspects of their roster while more and more are hoarding their prospects. The free agent market provides many options to improve but also varying levels of risk. The Angels have been more averse to spending big since the swing and a miss that was Anthony Rendon. Still as they refuse to properly rebuild they will continue a feeble attempt of relevancy as the local area teams have taken the spotlight in recent years. While some of these targets may be success stories in their next contract, perhaps they don’t fit the timeline of the Angels, or even more, prevent young talent the opportunity needed for long term success. So, let’s dive on in.
Trent Grisham
Before 2025, Trent Grisham’s first full 4 seasons in only one was he an “above average hitter”. In 2025 the power took off, his strong defense remained and he put himself into a spot for a large contract as he nears entering his 30’s. This is the type of free agent the Angels must avoid. A guy who has a great walk year, and is likely going to command a 3-4 year deal north of 13 million a year. For a potentially cash strapped organization. He is a luxury the Angels can’t afford. Now say a team like the Dodgers can absorb this risk. Trust that his defense will provide a near 1.5 fWAR floor and that maybe he has found a power swing in his prime years to justify the contract. Unfortunately, the Angels already have two high power outfielders with low OBP. It didn’t work to save the lineup in 2025 and adding a third to the mix doesn’t spell postseason.
Pete Alonso
Last year there were expectations that Arte Moreno would jump the market and go for the power hitting polar bear. Adding his bat to the middle of the lineup felt inevitable. However, the stars aligned and the Angels avoided doing so, and for Pete Alonso he returned to the Mets, had a much better year at the plate and enters the offseason without a qualifying offer. To say he wouldn’t help the Angels is false. However, Schanuel has shown an ability to be an above average bat even without the power of Alonso. To bring Alonso in would lead the Angels to have to play Nolan out of position, or trade a non-power first basemen who is of more value to the Angels than he would be elsewhere.
Alex Bregman
Alex Bregman is an absolute ballplayer who would elevate this roster…potentially. Last year he did improve on his poor 2024 season but also faced injuries. Being that this is his last big payday and the Angels are already paying an injured third basemen 35+ million dollars, why should they look to add another at a similar price. He doesn’t necessarily fit the timeline, nor the current roster. At 32 years old currently he is better suited for a team closer to the playoffs and competing for more championships.
Eugenio Suárez
Speaking of aging third basemen who are about to cash in on their final contract and don’t fit the timeline, enter Eugenio Suárez. His numbers plummeted upon his return to the PNW. He is a power only bat, with limited defense and may be the worst suited for the roster out of those mentioned. Not much to say here, except hopefully the Angels pass.
Munetaka Murakami
Let’s start off by saying this is the most borderline player on this list. I could flip in an instant. I struggled putting Munetaka Murakami on this list because of the impact he could bring to the lineup, the franchise as a whole and to the core of the future Angels. He very well could come over and be exactly as advertised. But he has concerning swing and miss rates, a likely future at first base and will cost over 200 million presumably. I would have no sadness if he dawns an Angels uniform in 2026, but I will also have no regrets watching him elsewhere if the Angels shy away from the price it will take for the unknown bat transition.
Kyle Tucker
Kyle Tucker is almost everything you want in a franchise player. He will be just 30 years old by seasons end next year. He is an accomplished player who is well rounded and in down years puts up 20/20 seasons with good contact and high on base ability. The problems are in the fact he will end up commanding 350 million plus in addition to handling his injury abilities, and some questions possibly about his love of the game. The Angels already employ an oft-injured star player who doesn’t seem to love the game. It hasn’t gone well. Kyle Tucker could lift some teams to the world series. He could also sink the Angels into another decade of irrelevance.
Any DH Only Bat
Kyle Schwarber and Marcell Ozuna are two of the best bats of the last half decade, plus. They don’t fit this roster. Mike Trout is locked in the DH position moving forward and there is no reason to try and play him in the field. The Angels are better with him in the lineup and already have him under contract.
Ranger Suárez
Ranger Suárez is positioned to do well this offseason, and he has been an incredibly solid pitcher during his Phillies tenure. However, he isn’t the hardest thrower, and thinking of what he may command scares me off a bit. He is best suited as a 2-3 and the Angels need a number 1 if they dive into the top of the market.
Zac Gallen
Zac Gallen seems destined to be an arm that bounces back in 2026. Some players fall flat in their walk year. He was one of them. Long one of the more underrated arms in baseball, he has trended downward for the last three seasons roughly and while the velocity hasn’t changed too much, I don’t know if he is the guys the Angels need to take the leap on. Again, like some mentioned prior, I could be convinced of him easily. Inside Halos writer, Cruz Cambero, just made a compelling argument to why the Angels SHOULD sign Gallen. I think all things considered, if he takes a prove it deal, he returns to the comfort of the Diamondbacks. It is more of a I think he gets more than expected which moves me to say no on Gallen.
Edwin Díaz/Robert Suarez/Devin Williams
I lump these three relievers together for a simple reason. The Angels aren’t a massive contract to a closer away from contention. The Angels who likely have limited funds need to do what is best for the organization. Bring back the veteran clubhouse leader in Kenley Jansen. Fill the bullpen with reliable veterans towards the beginning of free agency and trust that some of the young arms of this year, Sam Bachman, Chase Silseth and Sam Aldegheri can fill up the rest with talent and hope that Ben Joyce heals well along with veteran Robert Stephenson though I’m not sure of his current status as he ended the year injured.
Concluding Thoughts
Perhaps at least one of these names ends up on the Halos, and maybe they even help the team. Again, not all of these players will be bad in their next contracts. This is more an exercise of who will help the Angels when it matters? Who will be cost effective? Who can help this team and not be a burden once we return from the inevitable lockout next season. Give me your thoughts. Who do you want to see the Angels sign that made this list? Who are the players you’d like added to this list?
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