Perry’s First Big Swing of the Offseason

Written By Jacob Firmage

Angels News

November 18, 2025 - Written by Jacob Firmage

The Angels swung their first trade of the offseason late on a Tuesday in November. Perry tends to make a handful of moves early and often in his tenure, but this move is a bit different. In this move he moved a Major League piece which Arte Moreno has typically not allowed. But in this deal, he did make a move for another Major Leaguer. Pitching was going to be the first, second and third focus and he attacked in a big way. Taylor Ward a lifetime Angel, was drafted, developed and bounced around the diamond before finding comfort in his left field position. The Angels have held him for years despite constant interest. Coming off his best year in terms of power, swatting 36 home runs and driving in and 103 RBI’s. He has been a constant in the middle of the lineup and production will need to be replaced via another trade or free agency. In return the Angels landed Grayson Rodriguez, a former top prospect has dealt with injuries in his time with Baltimore and per Perry Minasian will be available at the start of spring training. In limited MLB time in 2023 and 2024 he has been roughly a 2 fWAR pitcher in both seasons. He has top of the rotation stuff, and the hopes are he regains his health moving forward. This move is the first of many. The Angels now have a hole in the middle of their lineup and in their defensive alignment. Get ready.

Impact for Baltimore

It is hard to understand the point of thinking in Baltimore, unless they are truly doubtful of his pitching impact moving forward. If you have serious concerns about him on the mound and remaining healthy it is understandable to move on from the 4 years of team control. But even with injuries, it shows desperation of Elias to compete now off of a few rough years with new ownership. He may be, like Perry, on a hot seat and needing to show a willingness to go for it now. Ward plugs in nicely to a deep lineup in Baltimore, and moves to a division with plenty of hitter friendly parks. This does open a whole in their projected rotation, perhaps to be filled by a free agent signing.

Impact for the Angels

This is a no-brainer, slam dunk win for Perry Minasian. For all of the questions over the past few years on why they haven’t traded him for long term pieces he has done so and secured a potential Ace for the Angels for one year of Taylor Ward. Grayson, for all his injuries has been electric when on the mound. In Anaheim he comes in with less pressure than he carried in Baltimore. He likely slots in the 3 or 4 spot out of camp and can with reasonable health provide more value for the Angels than a 3 or 4 pretty quickly. This screams upside and a move winning clubs make. His fastball averages 96.8, K/9 of just under 10 and keeps the ball in the ballpark and now gets to work with one of the best pitching coaches in baseball. It does lead to more roster questions for the Angels. Does this mean Jorge Soler stays and him along with Mike Trout split time in left field? I doubt so, but that is for another day.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Angels have traded Ward, with his one year remaining, for 4 years of a starter with frontline potential. This screams a team being ran by a front office and not an owner keeping a home run hitter for one more season. The Angels free up a tad bit of salary. They now have one rotation spot left to fill, a little extra payroll and a fanbase that should be feeling a bit more excitement than they were this morning. I like to think that Perry when he got the confirmation that he would run the team in 2026 asked Arte for one season of no interference. A year he can bring in his manager and coaching staff. Give him a budget and let him get to work. Perry has built up this team, full of young potential and as a potential bubble team, he deserves a chance to move freely in his fight for his job. This move signals a positive, yet buttercup potential move for the young righty. The Angels, in this writer’s opinion, are better now than they were before the trade. A rotation now anchored by Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano, Reid Detmers and Grayson Rodriguez is in an incredible spot compared to last season, respectfully having the 3 and 4 spot occupied by Tyler Anderson and Kyle Hendricks. Upside play for a team needing to take some chances on upside. We’re off to a good start, and I for one, am excited to see what Perry does with the rest of his offseason. Welcome aboard, Grayson, welcome aboard.

Disclaimer : (1) All photos are not owned by InsideHalos and have been given proper credit beneath each photo. (2) Links of players are property of MLB, MiLB, and Baseball Reference. (3) InsideHalos is a fan-made site not affiliated with Angels Baseball.

Jacob Firmage

Southern California Native. Angels Junky. Always up to talk baseball.

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