The Angels’ rotation has become one of the most interesting parts of their offseason because the organization is about to have resources, and that could speed up the rebuild once Stan Kroenke’s ownership group takes over after the first of the year.
That puts a very real question in front of the front office: how many rotation spots should the Angels hand to their young pitchers?
Left-hander Reid Detmers sits at the top as the ace, and rookie right-hander Walbert Urena is right there with him. That means one spot is already spoken for by a rookie, which carries obvious risk because Urena’s development next year may not go in a straight line.
Beyond those two, the picture gets murkier. Ryan Johnson pitched well enough in the second half to earn a look at the No. 3 starter role, but that would also push another very young arm into an important spot. His career has already come with plenty of ups and downs, and the question is whether the Angels really want to place him that high in the rotation.
The veteran options aren’t exactly clean, either. Yusei Kikuchi has been a dependable innings-eater in recent years, but he was hurt this season and has spent much of his recent career as a middling option. He is due $21 million in 2027 and could be moved.
Grayson Rodriguez is another possibility, but he looks like an even tougher fit. He returned to the mound after an injury-filled career, yet he does not seem like someone who belongs in the rotation of a team trying to contend. The Angels would likely like to trade him, but that would mean selling at a low point since his value is essentially nonexistent right now.
The simplest path may be the most aggressive one: bring in another veteran to pair with Reid Detmers. With Kroenke’s deep pockets, the Angels could even chase another ace. That kind of move would put some pressure on the Dodgers and make for a fascinating race in Southern California.
And it does not have to be Tarik Skubal. Sonny Gray will also be available, and he did not sound especially excited about pitching for the Boston Red Sox again. There will be other names on the market, too, and the Angels should be in position to land one of them.
In Other News...
Angels Coaching Reset Begins After A Collapse Fans Wont Forget
The Angels offseason reset is already underway after a year that left little room for debate. Following a 62-100 finish, the club declined manager Kurt Suzukis contract option after the 2026 season, closing the book on a one-year run that ended with the franchises first 100-loss season and a postseason drought now stretched to 12 years.
The announcement came through the teams official social media, with the organization saying it will work alongside incoming ownership to rebuild the dugout and coaching staff. Suzukis exit is only the first step in what figures to be a broader overhaul, and the next move at manager will say plenty about how aggressively the Angels intend to turn the page. [Read more 🡒]
Angels Dugout Reset Just Put One Bigger Decision In Focus
The Angels are making another clean break in their dugout, declining Kurt Suzukis 2027 option after just one season and signaling that the organization wants a fresh start on the field as well as in the front office. Interim general manager John Mozeliak said Suzuki has been offered a special assistant role within the club, a move that keeps him around the organization even as the search begins for a new manager and coaching staff.
It is the latest sign of how much turnover is ahead in Anaheim after the recent ownership and front office changes, and it puts the next managerial hire squarely in the spotlight. Among the questions now hanging over the process is whether the Angels will lean on an in-house option as they sort through who should guide the next phase of the reset. [Read more 🡒]
Angels Finally Settled Kurt Suzuki But The Bigger Shakeup Starts Now
Kurt Suzukis time in the Angels dugout is set to end, but not necessarily his place in the organization. The club has declined his 2027 option as manager and intends to offer him a special assistant role, a move that closes one chapter while keeping a familiar face around as Los Angeles sorts through a broader reset.
The timing matters because the Angels are not just looking for a new manager. They also have a front-office vacancy to fill, and the expected arrival of Stan Kroenke as owner hangs over the process as the club lines up its next move. With managerial openings popping up elsewhere in the division, the Angels search now becomes part of a much bigger reshaping of the organization. [Read more 🡒]