The Los Angeles Angels came into this offseason with plenty of questions and not a whole lot of answers. Fans hoping for a splashy free-agent signing - maybe a top-15 name to inject some life into the roster - have instead watched the club opt for budget-conscious moves that feel more aligned with ownership’s financial caution than a win-now mentality.
So, no, Bo Bichette isn’t walking through that door to pair up with Zach Neto in the middle infield. But here’s the twist: the Angels might still benefit from where Bichette does end up.
Let’s talk about Boston. The Red Sox made a surprising move this week, inking left-hander Ranger Suarez to a five-year, $130 million deal.
That’s a big swing for a team that had been relatively quiet in the sluggish pitching market. But Suarez wasn’t the only name tied to Boston - Bo Bichette has reportedly been on their radar as well.
And if the Red Sox manage to land the Blue Jays’ All-Star infielder, it could create an opportunity the Angels would be wise to jump on.
Why Kristian Campbell Should Be on the Angels' Radar
Enter Kristian Campbell, a 23-year-old second baseman who had an eye-opening start to his rookie campaign last season in Boston. Over his first 31 games, Campbell was hitting a scorching .313 with eight doubles and four homers - numbers that had him looking like one of the breakout bats in the league. For a stretch, he wasn’t just good - he was one of the best hitters in baseball.
But as quickly as he rose, he hit a wall. Much like Angels prospect Kyren Paris, Campbell’s bat cooled off dramatically, leading to a June demotion to Triple-A.
He stayed there the rest of the season, even after signing an eight-year, $60 million extension - a bold commitment from the Red Sox, especially for a player who didn’t finish the year in the majors. Still, Campbell performed well in the minors, and his long-term potential remains intact.
Now, if Boston does bring in Bichette, it likely means they see him fitting at either second or third base. That creates a bit of a logjam, since Campbell is best suited for second.
Sure, there’s a world where both can coexist in the lineup, but the Red Sox are clearly in win-now mode. They’ve built a rotation capable of contending and have a young cornerstone in Roman Anthony.
That kind of urgency could make Campbell expendable in the right deal.
A Smart Gamble for the Angels
If Boston shows even a hint of willingness to move Campbell, the Angels need to be ready. This is exactly the kind of move that fits the Angels’ current blueprint: a young, controllable player with upside, locked into a manageable $7.5 million per year deal. Campbell isn’t a sure thing - no young player is - but the talent is there, and the cost is right.
This is a team that has leaned into value deals for veterans in recent years, but Campbell offers something different: youth, upside, and years of control. He’d give the Angels a legitimate second base option who could grow alongside Neto and the rest of their young core. And with the free-agent market thinning and the Angels steering clear of top-tier spending, trades like this could be their best path forward.
Final Thoughts
The Angels may not be making headlines this winter, but that doesn’t mean they have to sit on the sidelines. If Bo Bichette ends up in Boston, it could set off a chain reaction - one that opens the door for a smart, forward-thinking move.
Kristian Campbell might not be the star fans were hoping for, but he could be a foundational piece if the Angels play their cards right. And in an offseason short on fireworks, that kind of quiet win could go a long way.