Reviewing the Angels Offseason Additions
Mar 3, 2025 - Written by Jesus Barrera
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
The 2025 MLB season is finally upon us. Teams throughout the league got to work as soon as the last out of the 2024 World Series was recorded. Some teams improved, some got worse. The 2024 World Champs got even better and some teams did nothing for their future cause for the upcoming season.
In my opinion, the Angels improved a tad bit this offseason. The roster is rounded out better on the position player side of things, but once again I believe that the Angels shortcomings in 2025 will come on the pitching side of things, specifically the starting rotation.
A Mentor for “Hop”
An early move that Perry Minasian pulled off was the acquisition of veteran backstop, Travis d’Arnaud. The Angels signed d’Arnaud to a 2-year, 12 million dollar deal in early November. Just like current Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, the former Braves’ offensive numbers slipped in the second-half of 2024. I believe that the tandem will complement each other well to ease their workload. Having O’Hoppe work with d’Arnaud and navigating a pitching staff with him will pay huge dividends in the long run for both parties. The 2021 World Champ replaces former backup catcher Matt Thaiss. Thaiss, now a part of the Chicago White Sox, ended his 6-year tenure in Anaheim with a career .208 batting average and 81 OPS+. Per Fangraphs, d’Arnaud is projected to hit 10 homers, hold a 98 wRC+, and is valued at 1.4 wins above replacement for the 2025 season. The upgrade is evident in the backup position for the next couple of seasons. Thaiss never caught his footing in Anaheim and was replaced by a savvy vet, who will contribute to a young team in various aspects.
Additions to the Rotation
The moves made for the Angels starting staff were underwhelming to my standards. I also understand that the Angels are transitioning into what they intend to be a contender in perhaps 2026 or 2027. I felt like trade for a cost controlled starter was going to come to fruition and another starter was going to be added via free agency. My intended target in the free agent avenue was Nick Pivetta who signed a 4-year deal with the San Diego Padres. While I understand the move for signing veteran starter Kyle Hendricks as a mentor for the young starters. I really can’t comprehend it due to the year he had in 2024. Hendricks is coming off of his worst season in the bigs, a season in which he started 24 games for the Chicago Cubs and held an earned run average near 6. The righty agreed to a 1-year deal.
The move for Yusei Kikuchi was a solid one and a good get for the team as he can possibly still be with the team when they begin turning the corner competitively. His free agent deal covers 3 years and he will earn 63 million dollars. Kikuchi flashed front of the rotation potential after getting traded to the Houston Astros at the trade deadline. He made 10 starts, winning 5, held a 3.07 FIP and racked up 76 strikeouts over 60 innings pitched. The Angels fell short when adding to the rotation in both quality and quantity. I believe a younger starter should’ve been added via trade and the number of additions should’ve been at the very least three, and not two.
The rotation will rely on Tyler Anderson and Yusei Kikuchi as their veterans. They need a drastic bounceback from the ever inconsistent Reid Detmers, for Jack Kochanowicz to quickly adapt and establish himself as a legit major league starter. Jose Soriano is an arm that has phenomenal upside and his continued development is also necessary for the Halos to flourish. In 2024 his first season as starter, he was shut down in August due to arm fatigue. In my opinion, there’s just too many question marks and not enough clarity with this group. Caden Dana, Samuel Aldegheri, and George Klassen are all young options who will more than likely begin their seasons down in the farm. Growing pains will come with them. I know the transition is continuing, but the Halo rotation needed stability and improvement for 2025.
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
Soler Power
The Angels offense in 2024 was in the bottom 5 in batting average, runs scored, on base and slugging percentage, dismal. OF/DH Jorge Soler was acquired in a trade with the Atlanta Braves for starting pitcher Griffin Canning. Soler brings necessary pop to a lineup that was one of the worst in the game last season. Between his time with the San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves, Soler slashed .241/.338/.442. He hit 21 homers, 34 doubles and 64 RBI. Soler will get plenty of at bats in the corner outfield spots and DH. The jury is still out on Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell. They will both get plenty of playing time as they look to be on their last trials to prove themselves as productive big leaguers before the Angels make their decision for the future. The Angels were linked to Anthony Santander and Pete Alonso this offseason. The 2021 World Series MVP is below them as hitters, but all three are on the same trajectory as they are limited defenders who are destined for a DH role soon. Santander and Alonso’s price tags were way up as well. Anaheim did well in adding some thump into their lineup for 2025. Who knows maybe Arte pays up for a big bat next offseason.
Infielder with Upside
The acquisition of Yoán Moncada made great sense after the Angels announced that Anthony Rendon was due for hip surgery before spring training even started. The Rendon contract and the amount of injuries he’s dealt with have been a nightmare for all involved. Yoan is someone who has also dealt with the injury bug, but when on the field he has been productive. Moncada figures to land the starting job at 3B and along with health, he can reestablish himself. If he is indeed playing well and an opportunity presents itself at the deadline, the Angels front office shouldn’t think twice about flipping him. Getting quality young talent for 2026 and beyond should be a priority this deadline. If all goes well, Moncada can aid that. Lets just say that replacing Brandon Drury’s and Anthony Rendon’s 2024 production is not a tall task at all. The Angels did well on taking a gamble on 1-year deal with Moncada’s upside, it’ll be interesting to follow him throughout this season.
Hall of Fame Closer
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
Veteran Closer Kenley Jansen is one guy I wanted the Angels to add during the offseason and hey, they listened. Jansen brings a wealth of experience and leadership to a young Angel bullpen. An important guy for Jansen to take under his wing is Ben Joyce, the young fireballer had a strong rookie season. With Jansen directly replacing Carlos Estevez in the closer role, Joyce will more than likely take over set up duties in the 8th inning. In 2024, he performed well in Boston saving 27 ball games, sporting a 3.00 FIP and a 28.4 K%.
Jansen currently sits 4th all time in career saves and is 53 away from 500. He gets to chase some milestones in Anaheim while mentoring the likes of Ben Joyce, Chase Silseth among others. Grabbing Jansen was great for the Halos as they can also trade him at the trade deadline to a contender. High leverage relievers and closers are hot commodities during that time of the year. Although the Jansen 1-year deal was good, I believe the Angels can still strike and improve the relief corps. If they want to make a similar bet to this one, it’s time to take David Robertson off the free agent market as well!
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