The Angels’ offseason board changed fast once the qualifying offer list came into focus. Eight players came off it, and for a club with plenty of holes and a farm system only now starting to recover, that matters. Los Angeles has enough needs that almost any corner of the roster could be addressed, but the smarter play is to steer away from qualifying-offer free agents and look for shorter-term fixes instead.
That approach fits a team that still hasn’t settled on a clear direction. Trade buzz continues to follow Reid Detmers and Zach Neto, and even if the Angels decide to keep building through the system, they still need real big league help in place. Short-term deals could buy time while the younger core develops.
At second base, Gleyber Torres stands out as the cleanest alternative if Brandon Lowe is no longer realistic. Lowe is the best option at the position, but giving major money to a 32-year-old infielder and surrendering a draft pick would be a tough sell.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. brings more athletic juice and could even come cheaper, but the fit is shakier for a young clubhouse. Torres is the name that makes the most sense.
He has long been linked to the Angels, and a one- or two-year contract could work. He would also help in areas where Los Angeles has been stuck, thanks to a 13.6% walk rate in 2026 and a strikeout rate that has stayed under 20%.
Behind the plate, the Angels need a veteran answer while they sort through Moises Ballesteros. Ryan Jeffers would have been the ideal target, but Carson Kelly looks like the more realistic route.
Ballesteros struggled badly with the bat, which was supposed to be his strength, so the Angels need insurance. Kelly gives them a dependable hitter who does his best work against lefties and could help shield the young left-handed bat.
If Ballesteros doesn’t bounce back, Kelly can handle everyday work. And if Jacob Cozart turns out to be the long-term answer, Kelly still has value as a bridge and a veteran presence.
The bullpen also needs help, but the Angels should be wary of paying top dollar for Adrian Morejon. His price was always going to climb fast for a non-closer, and the draft-pick cost makes him even less appealing.
Bryan Abreu offers a different path. He has been one of the league’s better setup men for years, even if his numbers were uneven when he had to cover for Josh Hader.
His split tells the story: a 7.91 ERA from Opening Day through June 2 with Hader on the injured list, then a 1.87 ERA from June 3 through the end of the season. Because his overall stat line looks less flashy, he could come at a more manageable price, and in the right role he could be just as valuable as Morejon.
In the outfield, the Angels are looking for power, but Seiya Suzuki and Randy Arozarena may already be off the table as qualifying-offer players. That pushes Randal Grichuk into the spotlight.
The veteran has always punished left-handed pitching, and he put together a strong 2026 season, hitting .287/.314/.566 with 15 homers in 280 plate appearances. He is not the full-time answer that the top names would be, but he fills a clear need and also brought a veteran presence to the 2026 White Sox.
In Other News...
Angels Suddenly Have A Real Teruaki Sato Dilemma
Teruaki Sato has quickly become a name to watch on the Angels radar, and not just because he would add another intriguing bat to the mix. The Japanese third baseman is reportedly drawing interest from multiple MLB teams, with Los Angeles among the clubs weighing whether to get involved. For the Angels, the appeal is obvious: a player with international buzz and the kind of upside that can change the look of a lineup. But the fit is more complicated than that, because any serious pursuit would have to be measured against the defensive issues already hanging over the roster.
The real question now is how aggressive the Angels want to be if the market around Sato does not get as crowded as expected. A softer bidding war could make him more attainable, but it would also force Los Angeles to decide how much it wants to commit to a player whose value is tied to both upside and uncertainty. For a team trying to balance talent acquisition with roster flaws, Sato is the kind of target that can look like a smart swing one minute and a risky luxury the next. [Read more 🡒]
Angels Enter Offseason With Front Office Power Still Unsettled
The Angels are moving into the offseason with their front office still in limbo, even as the incoming ownership group begins laying groundwork for the next era. Kroenke Sports & Entertainment is expected to hold informal meetings with candidates for the general manager job during this weeks GM Meetings, a sign that the search is already taking shape while the franchise waits for the sale to clear MLB approval.
For now, interim GM John Mozeliak remains in charge through December and is still exploring trade possibilities as he manages the roster in the meantime. The Angels could look at deals involving players such as Reid Detmers and Zach Neto, and there is also the possibility of smaller roster tweaks before the offseason really gets going, but the bigger question remains who will ultimately be making those calls once the new ownership structure is fully in place. [Read more 🡒]
Angels Ownership Limbo Could Cost Them A Real Pitching Opportunity
The posting window for Teruaki Sato and Kaima Taira has put a familiar winter problem back in front of the Angels: they have a chance to chase pitching help from Japan, but the franchises ownership situation is making even routine business feel complicated. Both players were posted by NPB clubs with a 30-day deadline to work out MLB deals before the Dec. 1 lockout, and Los Angeles is trying to operate with John Mozeliak in an interim general manager role while the sale of the team remains unresolved.
Mozeliak brings experience, but timing is working against the Angels here. Even if the front office likes the fit and the need is obvious, the uncertainty around who will be making the final call may prevent the club from getting a contract done before the clock runs out, leaving a real pitching opportunity hanging in limbo. [Read more 🡒]