Inside Perry’s Playbook: 18 Trade Targets for the Angels
October 29, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Photo Credit: @MLBTradeRumors - X
Through much of the last few months, much of what I have thought about the Angels upcoming offseason is that they will be relying more heavily on trades, than free agency this offseason. The Market outside the big prize players don’t necessarily match the Angels needs very well, and with what is to be presumed a tight budget the Angels won’t be able to pay market value to all their needs. Perry has said all jobs in this industry are one-year jobs, and in an offseason that will determine if he continues as General Manager for the Angels, he best be busy in improving this roster. He will swing, and likely miss on some moves. They aren’t all going to be fans picks for who they should go for. But let’s take a look around the league at some players who could be targets for the Angels this offseason. Looking across the league I identified 18 players I think for various reasons the Angels will show some level of interest in. These are not in a specific order, but just team by team essentially, so let’s dive on in.
Nolan Arenado
Nolan Arenado comes into his final two years of his contract with a payroll amount of 31 million dollars due. Coming off of a year of struggles at the plate, this gamer continued strong defense at the hot corner and has long been one of the game’s best and toughest competitors. The Angels would not be stuck with the entirety of the 31 million due. The Rockies retained some amount when he was sent to the Cardinals and now, there have been talks of the Cardinals eating some salary with him expanding his list. Bringing him back home and getting the Angels a two-year stopgap at the hot corner would fill a need and cost relatively little in terms of money and prospects could range based off how much money they would be willing to take on.
Sonny Gray
Sonny Gray is entering his final guaranteed year and has made a possible change in heart, now being more willing to waive his no trade clause. Sonny had his velocity tick back up this year and put on a seemingly consistent strong season. One would think they Cardinals would be willing to again assist in some of the salary which could mitigate the type of prospect the Angels need to give up. This is what makes this duo from the Cards so possible and within reach. The Angels again need to bolster the rotation, which Perry has said the pitching staff is priority 1, 2 and 3. Perhaps Sonny becomes not only priority 1, but the Angels number 1 pitcher.
Luis Severino
Luis Severino signed a shocking deal with Oak… I mean Sacramento last offseason and is amongst the more unlikely options on this list. Trades within the division are not typically the most common thing, and he has what could be 2 years and 47 million left to be paid. Chop this one up to an arm the Angels may have had interest in last offseason and one that has been public about his dislike of pitching in the minor league park. Entering what could be a walk year into his final contract, I think he is a player who could look to push his way into a trade this winter.
Alec Bohm
Alec Bohm is entering his walk year, doesn’t play elite defense and is streaky at the plate. But he is still an above average bat who plays passable defense at 3rd. Friend of the site, Beyond the Halo recently put out into the Halosphere the idea of a Taylor Ward for Bohm swap. It makes some sense being that the Angels have an Anthony Rendon sized contract coming off the books and may like to have a fresh slate in 2027 at 3rd base while improving the outlook in 2026.
Aaron Nola
Aaron Nola will retire a Philly. I truly believe that. But, what if he didn’t? He had a rough year; the Phillies have a ton of payroll locked up and are standing to potentially lose Ranger Suarez along with Kyle Schwarber. They are not a lower tier team when it comes to spending, but if they struggle to move Nick Castellanos this offseason could they look to move on from their former Ace. He has long been a steady presence in a rotation and had flashes late in the season. It may not be the most likely, but the Angels and Phillies have had trade history.
Brandon Marsh
Brandon Marsh is the perfect player to bring up speaking of that trade history as he was one of the more recent deals in which the Angels did a one for one trade of Marsh for Logan O’Hoppe. He may not have turned into a gold glover and elite defender but he has turned in 3 straight above average offensive seasons and would bring more energy and a left-handed bat to an Angels team that sure could use that. Plus, as an Angels fan, I think we all just liked Marsh and would love seeing Him and Adell back together in Halo red. With two years remaining of control, he’s not a rental and would fit the window the Angels have possibly opening soon.
Mitch Keller
Mitch Keller has long been one of my favorite arms. I was hoping a few years ago the Pirates would sell low. Unfortunately, they did not and he Since 2021 he has turned into one of the better mid-rotation arms. He is not an ace but extremely reliable for a ~4.00 ERA/FIP and would slot well behind Kikuchi and Soriano as the rotation currently stands. With three years of his extension remaining at roughly 54 million in salary and his luxury tax hit just over 15 million he is affordable in terms of money and prospects. Look for the Pirates to see if they can get better offers this offseason though he is far from a surefire trade candidate this offseason.
Michael Harris II
Michael Harris II is on this list for two reasons. One being the trade history between Perry and his former employer. Two being that this was part of my first offseason predictions and I just like the fit and the player. We’ve talked about his affordability as well as his talents on the field. He comes from a strong organization and fills a need long term for the Angels.
Sandy Alcantara
Sandy Alcantara struggled a bit in his return from Tommy John. But he also seemed to get some momentum towards the end of the season. His velocity was near pre surgery levels and he was able to stay healthy for 174 innings. He is an ace when right and a second year removed from surgery in 2026; he could return to form in a big way. He has club control through the end of the 2027 season and could be a great fit for the Angels who need big upside in the rotation. Look for Sandy to be a big target for many teams who can still see that former ace inside as well as a floor of a strong innings eater who can flash brilliance.
Luis Robert Jr.
Luis Robert Jr. is someone who has long lived on the idea of upside. Outside of 2023 he has been hampered with injuries and poor play. But with a floor of uber talented strong defensive centerfielder who can run the bases well he could be a target for the Angels in multiple ways this offseason. On the free agent market, he isn’t getting near the 2 years 40 million in club options he could have picked up this year, but if he hits free agency, he may choose a better platform team in the offseason. Does Perry make a huge swing on upside this year by trade and commit to big salary for another potential underperformer, or hope he gets his option declined and try to secure his talents at a lower salary.
Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers is probably just getting comfy in his new city of San Francisco, but what if the Giants don’t want to pay the long-term money as much as they just wanted a superstar. Devers bat has long been incredibly strong but paired with poor defense. The Giants have a star third baseman in Matt Chapman and uber prospect at first in Bryce Eldridge. Could the Minasian brothers swing a mega trade sending Devers to the Angels hot corner and add some much-needed left-handed thump in the lineup? Probably not, but fun to speculate the brothers coming together for a blockbuster.
Steven Kwan
Steven Kwan was subject to plenty of trade talk this year. The Angels corner spots are filled, for now, but they need to improve defensively and with contact. Kwan would immediately bring both to the Angels and again with being a lefty bat is an ideal fit. Perhaps the Angels could build something around Ward to provide the Guardians some thump. There are better fits for both the Angels and Kwan, but perhaps Perry does diligence at least.
MacKenzie Gore
MacKenzie Gore is a potential trade candidate for the Angels based on two things. Where do both teams see themselves. For the Nats, do they think they can contend by 2027, and for the Angels is Gore the type of arm that moves the needle. He flashed dominance this year, and is two years away from a big payday in free agency. Do the Angels look at him and think this is the big swing we need, or are there other comparable arms that may cost less in prospects. It’ll be interesting considering the Padres will likely circle back on their former prospect and could likely put together a more enticing offer than the Angels. But I feel confident Perry will make the call at least on this one.
Jeff McNeil
Jeff McNeil isn’t a flashy name by any means. With only one year guaranteed before a final club option he shouldn’t cost a ton in terms of prospects. He is around the board an average type player. He raises the floor, has fine defense at second and carried a 111 wRC+ last year after falling just under 100 the prior two years. He would likely move Moore off of the keystone, but has experience at 3B as well. Keep an eye on McNeil as the offseason moves.
Brett Baty
Brett Baty is coming off his best season and is a 3B by trade, unlike McNeil who would have to make the switch. He is still pre-arb and will cost quite a bit more, but locks in a position the Angels have long struggled to place for nearly the next half decade. The Mets will look to boost their pitching and Angels do have some depth at the upper minors, but it’s hard to see a perfect match in this trade. I expect the Angels and Mets to talk a bit this offseason, but Baty may be more wishful thinking than realistic.
Ryan McMahon
Ryan McMahon could be this year’s Jorge Soler trade. In 2024, the Braves needed a bat and in desperation made a trade for an old friend. They then proceeded to flip him and that salary immediately after the World Series to the Angels. I think the Yankees needed McMahon more for 2025 than they did for 2026 and 2027. He has two years at 32 million in actual money along with an AAV hit of just over 11 million. He doesn’t hurt the Angels long-term and has value to a team like the Angels. While below average offensively he flashes adequate power for the position while playing strong defense at third. He again is a lefty bat, are you sensing a theme, who could be penciled in the 6-9 slot of the Angels lineup while being an affordable upgrade. I really like this fit and think the Yankees will try to look in a different direction this offseason.
Adley Rutschman
Adley Rutschman is going to cost a ton. His rookie and sophomore year are still his best and he may never reach those peaks again. But he is a true catcher who can field the position well with offensive upside. I don’t think the Angels do anything more than a courtesy call here, but say they think O’Hoppe may be better suited for third instead of catcher moving forward. They could add a piece and look to extend the former 1st overall pick.
Ketel Marte
Ketel Marte is my dream target this offseason. Going into his age 32 season he is coming off another 4+ WAR season. He is a true game changer up the middle where the Angels would have club control through the end of 2030 and then Ketel likely picks up his 2031 option. He is a star player. The Angels have an interesting starting point in trade talks with Christian Moore who showed his own flashes of stardom, but may take a few years to reach the levels of Ketel Marte, if he does at all. This would be a tough move. Looking to trade a recent 1st rounder for the Angels. But adding a player of Ketel’s caliber isn’t easily done, especially at the rate of 5 years and 92 million in real money and AAV of just under 20 million. I’m not sure the D ’Backs truly “shop” Marte this offseason but perhaps Perry and the D ’backs can make some magic happen in talks.
There were some definite similarities in many of these players. For the everyday players nine of the twelve were either left-handed hitters or switch hitters. They all play varying levels of average to well above average defense. All but Bohm had multiple years of control in some form. All the pitchers had multiple years of control. You have to look though at Philly and Atlanta every offseason as these have been two of the more prominent trade partners for Perry Minasian. The Angels have so many options this offseason to improve by trade and enough interesting prospects to make those moves. Maybe even dipping into some of the major league roster is needed to make some of these moves happen, but the Angels are probably in store for a major shakeup in the roster going into next offseason. Let us know who we missed that you think the Angels could look at. Who on this list do you not like or think isn’t a fit? The offseason is inching closer and it will be interesting to circle back and see how many if any are moved and if any wind up on the Angels opening day roster in 2026.
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