The Angels are about to enter a very different kind of offseason, but the free-agent board may not cooperate.
With a new majority owner expected in place by the start of next season, Los Angeles should, in theory, become a more appealing landing spot for players right away. That’s the promise of the change.
The problem is the market itself. Beyond Tarik Skubal, the list of impact free agents thins out fast.
Kevin Gausman is still on the board, but the source here notes he is past his prime. Freddy Peralta is coming off a brutal 2026 season.
As for the best bat available, that might be Bo Bichette again if he opts out of his deal with the Mets. That’s not exactly the kind of crop that turns an Angels roster full of questions into a finished product.
So if free agency isn’t the answer, the trade market may have to be.
That path becomes even more important with a lockout looming. The weeks after the 2026 season could get chaotic fast, with teams rushing to make moves before the work stoppage hits. That kind of compressed window could create the sort of opportunity the Angels need, especially under likely future executive John Mozeliak.
The club already showed some willingness to sell at this year’s trade deadline, though not every tradeable piece was moved. That leaves plenty for the new regime to consider once the season ends. And if the Angels are serious about changing the direction of the roster, the source argues they have to be aggressive.
Zach Neto is singled out as someone who may not be much of an answer for Los Angeles, and flipping him for offensive help and prospect depth is presented as a logical move. Even if a deal doesn’t bring back a future cornerstone, it could still stockpile trade capital that helps the Angels address other holes later.
The rental market could also offer a few names worth monitoring if the price is right. The list mentioned includes Freddie Freeman, who is a free agent after the 2027 season, though getting the Dodgers to cooperate may be difficult. Other possible options named are Yandy Diaz, Munetaka Murakami, Isaac Paredes, Jeremy Peña, Logan Gilbert, Zack Wheeler, Joe Ryan, and maybe Sandy Alcantara.
None of that guarantees the Angels will land their targets. They won’t be the only team trying to make a splash before the lockout arrives.
But even the attempt to act boldly on the trade market would matter. After so long in a bad place, Angels fans are looking for something that feels like a step forward.
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