Rounding out the Angels Roster
January 26, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage
Brent Suter just struck out Shohei Ohtani after having a 3-0 count on him…? pic.twitter.com/TRJo91hqRl
— ATBBTTR (@ATBBTTR) October 1, 2025
The Angels came into the offseason with potential to make some decent sized moves. At times reporters seemed to believe the Angels were gearing up for a “splash”. Names floated around like Cody Bellinger or Alex Bregman. Maybe they finally spent on a starter such as Ranger Suarez or Dylan Cease. Then slowly it trickled down. Maybe they could go for a Zac Gallen or trade for Alec Bohm. At one point in the offseason I was told they really liked Chris Bassitt. Maybe he would have been a tough sign with a questionable roster, but where the Angels were shopping was above the bargain bin. But names began to come off the board. Perhaps the Angels were awaiting the decision in the Tyler Skaggs trial. That trial inevitably didn’t go the way Arte Moreno and the Angels had hoped. Questions asked by the jury spurred the Angels to do what should have been done before trial and come to an agreement on a settlement.
Even after the trial ended there were still hopes the Angels could move in a positive direction by spending some money. At this point we are far into hearing of a potential Rendon buyout to free up additional funds. In all likelihood, this was meant to make that splashy move. Following after though was nothing in that direction. Reports started trickling out that Arte had closed the checkbook. Like a 1000-pound weight dropped from the sky, the Angels TV deal would not continue. This leading to upwards of a 100-million-dollar loss in revenue. The Angels through slashing payroll in the Taylor Ward trade and moving the remainder of the Rendon deal to the future was all thought to be in effort to spend big once more, but in actuality, looks to be a way to recoup as much of the lost profits as possible.
Within the last month I was under the impression after some conversations that the Angels had roughly 15-million dollars left to spend this offseason. Since then, they have brought back Yoán Moncada to man 3B, when healthy, at 1-year 4-million dollars, leaving the Halos with roughly 11 or so million left to play with. The roster as far as positional players are near set. The outfield will be Adell daily with a platoon around him including the likes of Jorge Soler, for now, Bryce Teodosio, Josh Lowe, Mike Trout and Wade Meckler. Nelson Rada could figure in the mix but for now he remains a longshot for opening day. The infield is set at 3 spots with Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel and Moncada locked in. 2nd base the last “open” spot, though Christian Moore has the clear headstart. The catcher tandem remains in tact from last offseason with two spots open. One starting pitcher and potentially a left-handed reliever following the trade of Brock Burke.
I will start with left-handed reliever as it is a short list and may not even be their main target right now. The Angels can look to the market and see two names out there to consider as upgrades. Brent Suter who the Angels had interest in last winter and Danny Coulombe who they also have had interest in past years as well. The bullpen did add Tayler Saucedo to the mix and could end up relying on him for the middle innings while allowing Drew Pomeranz to be late inning lefty. They have some intriguing prospects as well such as Samy Natera Jr or Sam Aldegheri though the hopes have remained Aldegheri prepare as a starting pitcher. I think with the depth on roster and in the minors the Angels don’t HAVE to snag another left-handed reliever, but it is a spot to keep an eye on.
As for starting pitching, this is the spot I think Perry wanted to spend his big chunk on. I think he would have settled for Bassitt but kept an eye higher and now... Now I don’t think he has a shot to make a play for Bassitt at current standing. The names to watch for Angels fans are the following. Zack Littell, Nick Martinez, Patrick Corbin and Aaron Civale. There is a steep drop from Littell and Martinez to Corbin and Civale. The Angels preference at the moment would be Littell who is likely aiming for a 2-year deal upwards of 13-15 million a year. I am not sure he gets there regardless if the Angels land him or not, but he has held there as of now. Martinez may be able to be had on a 1-year deal but with recent success is also pushing for a 2-year deal at a slightly lower AAV. Corbin who caught on last year and with the help of new Angels pitching coach, Mike Maddux, revived his career and could latch on with a 1-year deal from 5-10 million. Civale who had a great run at times last season is in a similar ballpark for a 1-year deal.
The two positions of need offer multiple scenarios. I have the Angels with about 11-million left. Not enough for their first choice, but enough for other combinations. I don’t think it is impossible for Perry to land Littell and still try for a Suter, though I doubt he can land Littell and Coulombe. Martinez could offer a better chance of landing the former closer in Coulombe but with a little less upside as a starter. If the Angels go the Corbin/Civale route it could open the door to the higher end reliever but with lower floor and upside at the starting spot. It becomes a mix and match and see where these 6 guys land in terms of AAV and years given on the market. My personal choice is to go the route of working to land Littell and see, if possible, to also grab Suter. If you can’t grab Suter, I still would prefer the arm in Littell and bank on some of the minor league free agents grabbed as well as in house options. Let us know your thoughts and routes taken. How much more money do you feel the Angels will spend this offseason?
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