The Angels’ offseason finally got moving this week - and while it wasn’t the kind of blockbuster splash fans might’ve hoped for, it was a step in the right direction. After a quiet Winter Meetings that featured just a minor trade, GM Perry Minasian made his first notable bullpen additions by signing veterans Drew Pomeranz and Jordan Romano.
Combined, the deals cost just $6 million, a relatively low-risk investment for a pair of experienced arms. It’s not headline-grabbing money, but it’s a signal: the Angels are starting to shape their 2026 roster.
Still, the market isn’t waiting around. On Thursday, two players the Angels had been linked to - pitcher Michael King and infielder Sung-Moon Song - came off the board, both landing with the San Diego Padres in what marked the Friars’ first major moves of December.
Let’s start with King. When he’s on the mound, he’s been one of the most efficient starters in the game.
Since taking on a full-time starting role with the Padres, King has posted an ERA+ of 134 - meaning he’s been 34% better than league average - and has racked up 277 strikeouts over 247 innings. That’s elite-level production, no matter how you slice it.
The caveat? Health.
King missed significant time in 2025, which makes the Padres’ three-year, $75 million commitment both bold and potentially savvy. If he stays on the field, San Diego might’ve just landed an ace at a relative discount.
Then there’s Song - a name that might be less familiar to MLB fans but carries weight overseas. The former KBO All-Star was one of the more intriguing international infielders on the market.
While he’s primarily a third baseman, Song brings versatility, capable of moving around the infield and giving the Padres some much-needed depth behind aging stars Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts. The Angels were reportedly one of the final teams in on Song before pulling their offer, and while the reasons behind that decision aren’t entirely clear, it’s a storyline worth keeping an eye on.
From a roster-building standpoint, missing out on both King and Song stings a little - but it doesn’t derail the Angels’ offseason. King, when healthy, is a top-of-the-rotation talent, but the Angels already have a high-upside (and health-questionable) arm in Grayson Rodriguez.
Doubling down on risk might not have been the smartest play. As for Song, his defensive flexibility and international pedigree would’ve been a nice boost, but the Angels could be eyeing even bigger fish at third base, either through free agency or trade.
The key takeaway here: the Angels still have plenty of payroll flexibility and a wide-open market. Big names are still available - including Framber Valdez and Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai - and there’s time for Minasian to make a statement move.
The Angels haven’t swung for the fences yet, but the count is far from full. There’s still room to take a big cut.
Bottom line: the offseason is far from over. The Angels didn’t land King or Song, but the door is wide open for a major addition. Now it’s up to Minasian to find the right fit - and make it count.