Monday, October 13

ANAHEIM -- The Angels have plenty of important decisions to make this offseason, and that starts with hiring their next manager and putting together a coaching staff.

But the Angels also have plenty to do to improve a roster that showed a lack of depth down the stretch, as they went 8-18 in September to finish with a 72-90 record. It was a nine-game improvement from 2024, which general manager Perry Minasian said indicates progress, but he knows they need to make some key additions this offseason.

With that in mind, here are five questions facing the Angels this offseason:

1) Who will be the next manager and will any of the coaching staff be retained?

The Angels have two known internal candidates in Albert Pujols and Torii Hunter, and Minasian said there will be external candidates as well. Minasian said it’ll be a thorough search but that they want to make their decision as soon as possible.

The coaches have all been told they are free to look elsewhere for other jobs because there’s no guarantee the new manager will retain any of them. Minasian said he believes it’s important for the manager to assemble his own staff, so it’ll be up to the new manager if any of the coaches return.

2) What will the Angels do at third base?

The Angels have a third baseman and he’s due $38 million next season in the last year of his contract, but Anthony Rendon missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing left hip surgery and hasn’t progressed to baseball activities yet. And both Yoán Moncada and Luis Rengifo are free agents, so third base is an area of need for next year.

It’s not a particularly robust free-agent class at third base outside of Alex Bregman (if he opts out of his contract with Boston) and Eugenio Suárez. So it could make more sense to find a third baseman via the trade market. But Max Muncy also could be a free agent if the Dodgers decline his option and he’d be a better fit because he’s a left-handed hitter.

3) How aggressive will the Angels be in improving their rotation?

The biggest need for the Angels is starting pitching, as lefty Yusei Kikuchi and right-hander José Soriano return, while lefty Reid Detmers will go back to starting after a successful year in relief. The Angels would like to acquire two starters this winter and at least one who projects as more of a frontline starter. But with Rendon’s contract still on the books, it’s unclear how much they’ll be willing to spend to acquire a starter.

The top free-agent starters are Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, Nick Martinez, Chris Bassitt and Zac Gallen, while others have options/opt-outs such as Chris Sale, Jack Flaherty, Freddy Peralta, Michael King and Shota Imanaga. So there are plenty of free agents out there, but we’ll see how aggressive the Angels will be. Their largest contract in five years under Minasian has been Kikuchi’s three-year, $63 million deal.

4) What will the Angels do at closer?

Kenley Jansen had a great year as the club’s closer, posting a 2.59 ERA and going 29 for 30 in save opportunities, but he’s a free agent after signing a one-year deal worth $10 million. The 38-year-old said after the season he’d still like to pitch another four seasons and wouldn’t rule out returning to the Angels. But he’s likely to get a raise based on his strong season and could look to sign with a surefire contender.

Other options include Ryan Helsley, Devin Williams or a reunion with Raisel Iglesias, but they will need to find a closer because they lack an obvious in-house solution, especially with Robert Stephenson having more right elbow issues and Ben Joyce coming off right shoulder surgery.

5) How will the Angels handle their outfield situation?

With Mike Trout’s move to right field and his balky left knee causing him to serve as designated hitter most of last season, the Angels lack a true center fielder outside of Bryce Teodosio, who has to prove he can hit. Jo Adell could move back to center but profiles better in right, while Taylor Ward is entrenched in left. Jorge Soler is also primarily a DH who can play some right field, but he struggled to stay healthy in 2025.

The Angels could look to sign a center fielder, especially one who hits left-handed like Trent Grisham or Cedric Mullins, and it’s possible they could trade Ward, Adell or Soler. So it’ll be interesting to monitor.

Minasian had a session with the media on Oct. 3, and he discussed why they are moving on from Ron Washington from manager and gave his outlook on the 2025 season and beyond. He cited performance as the reason for not picking up Washington’s option and stressed the importance of hiring the right person for the job.

“This is a huge hire,” Minasian said. “We need to nail it, can't miss it. There's so many different qualities you look for, right? You obviously want somebody that understands people, understands the game, has a presence, commands respect.”

Who was the first manager in Angels history?

A) Lefty Phillips

B) Del Rice

C) Bill Rigney

D) Bobby Winkles

MLB Pipeline announced the top pitcher and position player in the Minors for each organization, and center fielder Nelson Rada and right-hander Dylan Jordan were the selections for the Angels.

Rada, ranked as the club’s No. 7 prospect, reached Triple-A Salt Lake despite being just 20, and he posted an impressive .292/.398/.360 slash line over two levels. He’s the club’s center fielder of the future and could arrive at some point next season.

Jordan, ranked No. 16, excelled in his first year in pro ball, posting a 2.36 ERA and a 10.0 K/9 rate in 76 1/3 innings, including a 0.94 ERA in 28 2/3 innings at Single-A Inland Empire. Jordan, 19, was a fifth-round pick in ’24 out of Viera High School (Fla.).

C) Rigney, who managed the Angels from 1961-69.

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