Angels’ Rotation Needs Reinforcements - Here Are Three Options That Make Sense at Every Tier
The Los Angeles Angels have plenty of roster questions heading into 2026, but oddly enough, starting pitching might not be the most pressing one - at least, not in terms of depth. Yusei Kikuchi, José Soriano, Grayson Rodriguez, and Reid Detmers give the Halos a serviceable two-through-five on paper, and there’s upside in that group if things break right.
But here’s the catch: there’s no top-of-the-rotation presence. No true ace.
And that’s a problem the Angels have been dealing with for years.
Even beyond the lack of a frontline starter, there are legitimate questions with each arm in the current mix. Can Rodriguez stay healthy over a full season?
Will Soriano find the consistency to stick in the rotation? Does Kikuchi have another gear at this stage of his career?
And can Detmers, who showed flashes out of the bullpen, translate that success back into a starting role after struggling last time around?
Odds are, not all of those questions will be answered positively. That makes it all the more important for the Angels to add to this group - not just for depth, but for stability and upside.
They’re not in the market for a big-money arm like Framber Valdez, and they don’t have the prospect capital to swing a trade for someone like Joe Ryan or Freddy Peralta. But that doesn’t mean they’re out of options.
There are still viable targets at different levels of the market - from high-end bounce-back candidates to mid-rotation stabilizers to affordable veterans. Here’s a look at three names the Angels should be considering, each at a different price point.
High-End Option: Zac Gallen - A Potential Ace at a Discount
If the Angels want to take a swing at landing a true No. 1 starter without breaking the bank, Zac Gallen might be their best shot.
From 2022 to 2024, Gallen was one of the most reliable starters in the National League. He logged big innings, missed bats, and posted ERAs ranging from a stellar 2.54 to a still-respectable 3.65. He wasn’t just a rotation piece - he was a tone-setter.
But 2025 was a different story. Gallen’s strikeout rate dipped to a career-low 8.2 K/9, his home run rate spiked to 1.45 HR/9, and he finished the year with a 4.83 ERA - easily the worst of his career. Add in the fact that he received a qualifying offer, and it’s easy to see why teams have been hesitant to pounce.
Still, there’s reason to believe Gallen can bounce back. His second half in 2025 was stronger than his first, and his track record over the previous three seasons speaks for itself. If the Angels are willing to part with a draft pick and invest in a short-term deal - something in the ballpark of two years and $42 million - they could land a frontline starter at a fraction of the usual cost.
It’s a calculated risk, but one that could pay off in a big way. If Gallen returns to form, the Angels suddenly have a legitimate ace to anchor the staff.
Mid-Tier Option: Zack Littell - A Steady Hand to Stabilize the Middle
Zack Littell isn’t going to headline the rotation or make highlight reels, but he brings something the Angels desperately need: control and consistency.
The 30-year-old has fully transitioned into a starting role over the past two seasons, and the results have been solid. He posted a 3.63 ERA in 2024 and followed that up with a 3.81 ERA in 2025. He’s not overpowering, but he knows how to eat innings and avoid damage.
Where Littell really stands out is in his command. Angels starters had the worst walk rate in baseball last year at 9.6%.
Littell, meanwhile, walked just 4.2% of batters in 2025 - good for the 98th percentile - and was similarly stingy in 2024. That kind of control can help offset the volatility of some of the younger arms in the rotation.
He’s not flashy, but Littell is the type of pitcher who can quietly make a big impact by keeping the team in games and taking pressure off the bullpen. On a mid-range deal, he’d be a smart addition to solidify the middle of the staff.
Bargain Option: Tyler Anderson - A Familiar Face Who Can Still Contribute
Sometimes the best move is the one you already know. Tyler Anderson may not be the most exciting option, but he’s a familiar one - and one who still has value in the right role.
The Angels were expected to move Anderson last season after a strong start, but a mid-year slump kept him in Anaheim. Now at 36, he’s not bringing much upside, but he does offer veteran presence and rotation depth. And if you believe in baseball superstitions, there’s this: Anderson has quietly alternated good and bad seasons in even and odd years - and 2026 is an even one.
More importantly, Anderson would give the Angels another lefty in a rotation that’s otherwise right-handed outside of Kikuchi. That kind of balance matters over a long season. And if Kikuchi were to miss time, the Angels would be left with a very one-dimensional group.
Anderson wouldn’t cost much, and he could battle it out in spring training with Alek Manoah, who’s currently penciled in as a potential replacement. Whoever doesn’t win the rotation spot could slide into a long relief role, giving the Angels some flexibility and insurance.
The Bottom Line
The Angels don’t need to overhaul their rotation - they need to fortify it. There’s a foundation in place, but it’s one built on hope and potential rather than proven production. By adding an arm at each tier - or even just one or two - they can give themselves a much better chance of surviving the grind of a full season.
Zac Gallen offers the upside of an ace. Zack Littell brings the control and consistency to stabilize the middle.
Tyler Anderson provides veteran depth and rotation balance. Each fits a different need, and each could play a key role in helping the Angels take a step forward in 2026.