One other yr, one other shedding file for the Los Angeles Angels.
The Angels completed with a shedding file for the tenth consecutive yr, final within the AL West. Supervisor Ron Washington, who stepped away from the crew attributable to medical considerations partway by way of the season, and interim supervisor Ray Montgomery had been let go. Whoever lands the place would be the Angels’ sixth supervisor since their final successful season in 2015.
The Angels’ subsequent supervisor can have some expertise to work with. Though outfielder Mike Trout is a shell of himself, shortstop Zack Neto could also be a budding star. Outfielder Jo Adell and first baseman Nolan Schanuel confirmed indicators of progress. Nevertheless, a farm system ranked twenty seventh within the recreation by MLB.com is not going to present a lot assist to a roster quick on expertise.
Basic supervisor Perry Minasian has lots of work on his palms. Let’s check out three areas he ought to deal with.
Three focal factors for the Los Angeles Angels
1. Cease making an attempt to make Anthony Rendon occur
The Angels have performed 870 video games since signing Rendon to a seven-year, $245 million contract in the course of the 2019-20 offseason. The oft-injured third baseman has performed in simply 257 of these video games, lacking your complete 2025 season following hip surgical procedure. Minasian mentioned that Rendon has but to start baseball actions, which shouldn’t be a shock at this level.
Rendon is within the closing yr of his contract and has gone past a sunk price. He’s an emblem of the shedding tradition that Sam Blum of The Athletic opined hangs over the franchise. Lastly reducing the wire on Rendon might be a matter of addition by subtraction.
2. Go all-in on Munetaka Murakami
Whereas proprietor Arte Moreno needs to contend, the Angels realistically are years away. That doesn’t imply that they need to eschew free company completely. An ideal match, for each their timeline and lineup, will likely be out there this offseason.
The Yakult Swallows nook infielder missed many of the first half of the season attributable to accidents however has crushed the ball since his return, belting 22 homers in 224 plate appearances. Jon Heyman of the New York Publish linked Murakami to the Angels as a free-agent match and would match nicely with Neto and Adell within the lineup.
3. Commerce Taylor Ward and begin listening to the farm system
The soon-to-be 32-year-old Ward has been one of many Angels’ higher hitters over the previous 4 years. He additionally has two years of crew management left through arbitration and wouldn’t match a sensible timeline for the Angels to contend for the postseason.
Ward, nonetheless, could be a scorching commodity on the commerce block. He could be one of many higher energy hitters out there and an instantaneous improve for groups such because the Giants and Royals. Though the Angels are inclined to rush their high prospects to the majors, buying and selling Ward may assist rebuild a farm system in determined want of consideration.Â
