The Angels' Offseason Reality Check: Holes at Third, Center, and in the Rotation Demand Urgent Answers
The Los Angeles Angels entered this offseason with a clear to-do list. Three areas of need stood out like flashing neon signs: third base, center field, and the starting rotation. But here we are, deep into the winter, and the front office has largely stood pat while potential upgrades have come and gone.
Now, with the free-agent pool thinning and trade opportunities dwindling, the Angels are running out of time-and options. That doesn’t mean all hope is lost, but it does mean the team has to get creative and, more importantly, realistic about how they’ll plug these gaps heading into 2026.
Let’s break down where things stand-and where they could go from here.
Third Base: Familiar Faces, Familiar Questions
The Angels’ revolving door at third base continues to spin, and it looks like 2026 could bring more of the same. Literally. The team is reportedly bringing back Yoán Moncada, a move that’s more about necessity than upside.
Moncada still has flashes of talent, but his track record is riddled with injury setbacks and defensive inconsistency. Banking on him to hold down the hot corner for 162 games is a risky bet, which puts pressure on the depth behind him.
Internally, the Angels have a few names in the mix, but each comes with a big question mark. Oswald Peraza and Vaughn Grissom have some experience but haven’t locked down the position.
Denzer Guzman is viewed as the long-term answer, but he’s still developing. And there’s been buzz all offseason about Christian Moore possibly shifting over, though that’s far from a sure thing.
Then there’s Kyren Paris, who might be the most intriguing name of the bunch. He logged 145.2 innings at third base in the Mexican Winter League-a notable development for a player previously pegged more as a middle infielder.
If he can replicate anything close to the offensive production he showed in Spring 2025 and hold his own defensively at third, he could force his way into the Opening Day lineup-even with Moncada healthy. That could bump Grissom or Peraza into a bench role as a defensive sub, which might be where they’re best suited right now.
Bottom line: third base is still a puzzle, and the pieces don’t quite fit yet. The Angels are hoping someone-anyone-steps up.
Center Field: Defense Is There, Offense Is MIA
Defensively, Bryce Teodosio is the guy. No question.
In limited big-league action last season, he put up 10 Outs Above Average-a number that screams Gold Glove potential. But there’s a major caveat: the bat.
Teodosio struck out 47 times and posted a 53 OPS+. That’s not just below average-it’s a black hole in the lineup. And while the glove is elite, the Angels can’t afford to give away at-bats in center every night.
Jo Adell, meanwhile, is a right fielder. Full stop.
The team tried him in center last year, and it didn’t work. But with limited options, they may be tempted to roll the dice again-especially if Josh Lowe can’t stay healthy, hit lefties, or adjust to playing a position he’s not all that familiar with.
And then there’s Mike Trout. He’s made it clear he still wants to play the outfield, and with a new manager in town and a franchise always looking to fill seats, there’s a real risk the Angels let him.
But putting Trout back in center would be a huge gamble. The hope is that cooler heads prevail and the team rolls with a more balanced outfield mix: Adell in right, Teodosio and Lowe sharing center, and a rotation of Trout, Jorge Soler, and Matthew Lugo in left.
That alignment would maximize defense up the middle while keeping Trout’s legs fresher over the course of the season. It’s not perfect, but it’s the most sensible path forward.
Starting Rotation: Time to Tap Into the Youth Movement
If there’s one area where the Angels could still make an external move, it’s the rotation. Names like Zac Gallen or even a reunion with Lucas Giolito would make immediate sense.
A surprise splash for someone like Framber Valdez would certainly shake things up. But even if none of those happen, the Angels have quietly been stacking young arms for a while now-and 2026 could be the year they finally start turning them loose.
Newcomers Grayson Rodriguez and Alek Manoah are expected to play major roles, but both could be on innings limits. That means the team will almost certainly need a sixth starter early-and maybe even a seventh or eighth before the All-Star break.
Caden Dana and George Klassen are two names to watch early. And don’t count out Jack Kochanowicz, who’s been largely overlooked but could still be in the mix.
The Angels have also shown a willingness to fast-track recent draft picks, so keep an eye on Ryan Johnson and Tyler Bremner, the No. 2 overall pick from 2025. Either one could make noise sooner than expected.
The most likely scenario? The Angels add a mid-tier veteran to stabilize the back end of the rotation, while Manoah gets a shot to open the year in the starting five. After that, it could be a revolving door of young arms, with the team hoping one or two stick.
The Big Picture
The Angels’ offseason hasn’t inspired much confidence, but that doesn’t mean the season is lost before it begins. There’s still talent here-both on the roster and in the pipeline. But the margin for error is razor-thin.
At third base, someone has to step up and claim the job. In center field, the team needs to find a way to balance elite defense with at least passable offense. And on the mound, the youth movement is coming, whether the team is ready or not.
It’s not the splashy offseason fans may have hoped for, but it could still be a turning point-if the Angels make the right calls from here on out.