Kurt Suzuki has been around the Angels’ organization long enough to know that there are several issues the club needs to address to turn things around after 10 straight losing seasons and a playoff drought that dates back to 2014. Suzuki, who played with the Angels from 2021-22 before becoming a special assistant to general manager Perry Minasian prior to the ’23 season, was hired to be the club’s new manager on Oct. 21. He said he believes he’s seen the young core show some promise, but he didn’t want to set any expectations just yet. “I feel like being around here the last three years, seeing what Perry has done, seeing the players that he has drafted and has acquired, seeing the talent that we have in the Minor Leagues, I feel like there's potential,” Suzuki said. “Obviously, I think it would be almost irresponsible for me to say we're close or put expectations that way. I know the kids are going to get better every single day when we get this thing rolling, and wherever that leads them, I think they're going to develop at their own pace.” Here are three areas where Suzuki and his new staff will need to see the Angels improve. |
Put the ball in play The Angels had plenty of power in 2025, as their 226 homers ranked fourth in the Majors, but it came at a cost because their offense was mostly all or nothing. They struck out 1,627 times, which led all MLB clubs by a large margin and was the second most in a season in MLB history behind Minnesota's 1,654 strikeouts in '23. Suzuki was a contact hitter during his 16-year career, and his new hitting coaches will have to emphasize more contact. Some of it is personnel-based because of the way the club is constructed, but the Angels’ swing-and-miss rate is too high. Despite their power, they scored 673 runs, which was the sixth-lowest total in the Majors. Minasian would be wise to try to find contact hitters via free agency or trade to balance out the lineup. And there’s a chance that a slugger like Taylor Ward, Jo Adell or Jorge Soler gets moved because the Angels are looking for a true center fielder this offseason. “We need to improve in contact at the plate, no secret,” Minasian said. “[Susuki] did that when he hit. There were times to take some big swings and maybe do some damage, and there were times to put the ball in the play. And he's experienced all of that, so I couldn't imagine anybody better for this spot.” |
Clean up the defense By just about every measure, the Angels struggled defensively as a whole last year. Their 97 errors were the fifth most in the Majors, they ranked 28th in Defensive Runs Saved (-45) and they were dead last in Statcast’s Outs Above Average (-53). Catcher Logan O'Hoppe, third baseman Yoán Moncada and Adell in center field especially were rated poorly by the advanced metrics, while shortstop Zach Neto rated out among the league’s best. Moncada, though, is a free agent, and the Angels aren’t likely to have Adell in center again. Bryce Teodosio was an elite center fielder, but he has to prove he can hit. Suzuki will be tasked with getting O’Hoppe back on track after a down year, as his development is key to the future of the organization. Suzuki was regarded as a plus-defender during his career and will have plenty of advice to offer the 25-year-old. “Logan's still a young kid,” Suzuki said. “I know he came up to the Major Leagues as a young kid. I can relate to him. I've been in his shoes before. We're going to keep getting him better. We're going to keep working on whatever we can identify to help him get better.” |
Throw more strikes The Angels walked 620 batters, which was 25 more than any other MLB club, and they threw first-pitch strikes at a 60.4 percent clip, which ranked 27th in the Majors. It’s not a recipe for success, especially because they had trouble keeping the ball in the ballpark, surrendering 223 homers -- the second most in the Majors. Angels pitchers fared fine getting swings and misses -- ranking in the middle of the pack -- but because they were behind in so many counts, they racked up the sixth-fewest strikeouts (1,280). It could also have to do with pitch sequencing, and adding more velocity should be a goal, as Angels pitchers’ four-seam fastballs averaged 93.7 mph, which was tied for the slowest in the Majors. |
MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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ANGELS HIRE MIKE MADDUX AS PITCHING COACH |
The Angels made their first addition under Suzuki, as they hired veteran pitching coach Mike Maddux away from the rival Rangers on Friday. It’s an impressive add for Los Angeles, as Texas had the best ERA (3.47) in the Majors in 2025, and Maddux also helped guide it to a World Series title in ‘23. Maddux, the older brother of Hall of Famer Greg Maddux, brings a wealth of experience, as he’s served as a pitching coach for 23 seasons with the Brewers (2003-08), Rangers (2009-15, '23-25), Nationals (2016-17) and Cardinals (2018-22). He faces the difficult task of turning around the club’s pitching, but he’s done it before with other clubs and brings a much-needed veteran voice to Suzuki’s staff. |
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Who was the first Angels manager to be named the BBWAA Manager of the Year? A. Bill Rigney B. Mike Scioscia C. Jim Fregosi D. Gene Mauch |
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TEN ANGELS PLAYERS BECOME FREE AGENTS |
On Nov. 2, a day after the World Series, the Angels saw 10 of their players become free agents: left-handers Tyler Anderson and Andrew Chafin; right-handers Luis García, Kyle Hendricks, Hunter Strickland, Kenley Jansen and José Ureña; infielders Moncada and Luis Rengifo and infielder/outfielder Chris Taylor. The Angels have no players with options, and none of their free agents are candidates for the qualifying offer. |
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B. Scioscia, who won it in both 2002 and ’09. |
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