The Los Angeles Angels are, once again, one of baseball's most fascinating teams headed into the offseason. Here's their wish list, including Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout plans.
The Los Angeles Angels are once again among the most intriguing and unpredictable teams headed into the Major League Baseball offseason.
Shohei Ohtani is a free agent. There have been reports from USA Today that the Angels could consider trading Mike Trout if he asks ownership for a trade, though those have been unconfirmed by FanSided. The remainder of the roster is in flux – many players on expiring contracts were moved in August – and the farm system was further depleted at the trade deadline.
The Angels also must figure out what to do with manager Phil Nevin and general manager Perry Minasian. No one knows what will happen with either, as team owner Arte Moreno is perhaps the most unpredictable owner in baseball. Their fates could legitimately be determined by how Moreno feels waking up one morning. Seriously.
Either way, the Angels clearly have much to decipher. Let's dive into their offseason wish list.
Attempting to re-sign Shohei Ohtani
When the Los Angeles Angels went all-in at the trade deadline, and elected to keep Shohei Ohtani, it signaled that the team has every intention of making a strong push to keep the two-way superstar.
Except things did not go as planned. Not even close.
The Angels quickly fell out of postseason contention. Ohtani tore his UCL. Then, in one of the most unprecedented moves in recent baseball history, they placed Lucas Giolito, Matt Moore, Reynaldo Lopez, Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk on waivers, allowing contending teams the opportunity to claim each player for no acquisition cost. They'd merely just have to pay the remainder of their salaries in 2023.
Not only did it signal that the Angels were done in 2023, it perhaps signaled the end to Ohtani's tenure in Anaheim. He's made it clear that he wants to compete in the postseason. He has not done so in six seasons in Anaheim despite being the best player in baseball.
The Angels did everything they could to keep Ohtani. In the end, however, this was increasingly likely to be his last season in Anaheim.
Odds the Angels keep Ohtani: 2/10.
Evaluate a potential Mike Trout trade
After the season, Mike Trout is expected to sit down with Angels ownership and the front office to get an update on the Angels' long-term outlook.
Such a meeting is not uncommon between a star player and his team. But Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that if Trout asks the Angels to be traded, that they are expected to explore a potential deal. But I simply don't see it.
There are too many factors that make a trade unlikely. For one, Trout's contract. He's scheduled to earn $34.45 million per season from 2024 through 2030 before becoming a free agent in 2031. He has a full no-trade clause and can dictate where he would end up. It limits a potential field of suitors that was already limited because of 1) his contract and 2) the package that it will take to acquire Trout from the Angels.
Despite Trout being 32 and having an extensive recent injury history, he remains one of the best players in baseball. The Angels will not give him up easily. And considering that he's one of the most loyal players in the game, it's almost unimaginable that he'd ask the team for a trade.
Grading the likelihood of a trade: 1/10.
Evaluate futures of Phil Nevin, Perry Minasian
The first order of business for the Angels is figuring out the futures of manager Phil Nevin and general manager Perry Minasian.
Right now, it would appear that the Angels will have a new manager for the 2024 season. The future of Minasian is more uncertain – he's done a good job in Anaheim considering the circumstances he's faced with – and it's viewed as a coin flip whether he will be back in 2024.
If the Angels do move on from Nevin, as expected, it will be curious to see the type of manager the team can attract. They appear headed for a multi-year rebuild and if they fail to re-sign Ohtani, could be among the worst teams in the American League next year. Meaning that it could prove difficult to hire a top managerial candidate, forcing the team to hire a young, up-and-coming option instead.
The same can be said for the general manager spot if the Angels do move on from Minasian, especially with team owner Arte Moreno having a significant influence in baseball operations.
Grading the likelihood the Angels fire Nevin: 8/10.
Grading the likelihood the Angels fire Minasian: 5/10.