3 free agents Angels should be dreaming about adding as they usher in a new era

As the Los Angeles Angels transition away from the reign of Arte Moreno and towards the Stan Kroenke era, they instantly become one of the most interesting teams this offseason. Will the Angels back up the Brink's Truck for big-ticket free agents? Are the Angels a more attractive destination for the upper-tier of free agents? For these reasons and more, Angels fans will be keeping a close eye on their team's roster moves once the lockout ends.

One of the biggest wrinkles in the Angels roster-building will be where Mike Trout lands defensively next season. The future first ballot Hall of Famer was already in-line to be the team's de facto designated hitter, but he told the team that it might be time for him to transition away from center field, and become a part-time left fielder. If Trout does end up playing left field next season, that might dissuade the Angels from targeting Randy Arozarena or a reunion with Taylor Ward in free agency.

Virtually every other position is in play for an upgrade before next season, however. Which three free agents might Angels fans put on their list of favorite players they want on their team for the 2027 season? Let's dive into it.

3 free agents Angels should be dreaming about adding as they usher in a new era

Ryan Jeffers

Jeffers is far-and-away the best catcher in free agency, and the Angels desperately could use his talents. The Halos traded away Logan O'Hoppe last season and Travis d'Arnaud is a free agent, which leaves them with Tyler Heineman, Moises Ballesteros and Sebastian Rivero on the books for next season.

Jeffers turns 30-year-old next season, but it probably would not take a lengthy contract that would lock up Jeffers into his mid-to-late 30s to sign the Twins backstop. A three-year deal with a $10+ million AAV should be a competitive-enough offer to win the sweepstakes of a catcher who posted an incredibly solid .814 OPS last season. Jeffers' 2026 OPS out-paced star catchers like Shea Langeliers (ATH), Carter Jensen (KC), Adley Rutschman (BAL+BOS), Dillon Dingler (DET) and William Contreras (MIL) amongst many others.

Brandon Lowe

The Angels have long-needed both a marquee second baseman and power-hitting lefty, and Lowe fits those bills and then some. Lowe posted an .824 OPS last season with Pittsburgh, the best rate of any primary second baseman with 100+ plate appearances.

An upgrade of Lowe over the revolving door of Angels second basemen that consisted of Oswald Peraza, Adam Frazier, Vaughn Grissom and Christian Moore would be as substantial as there is.

Adrian Morejon

Anytime somebody watches a Padres game that Morejon appeared in, how could their takeaway not be "this is one of the nastiest pitchers I've ever seen?"

The soon-to-be 28-year-old Morejon has been a staple of the Padres elite bullpen the past three seasons. Since 2024, the flame-throwing southpaw has a 2.58 ERA and 248 strikeouts in 223.1 innings pitched. The workhorse reliever has been a durable pitcher with elite-tier stuff -- i.e. he can appear in many games, and his stuff will not dip much (if at all) game-to-game. Morejon led the Padres in appearances this season with 76 and ranked fourth in MLB. His 28 holds tied for sixth-most in baseball.

The state of the Angels bullpen is grim. They have an $11 million club option on Robert Stephenson. I'll go ahead and report that they will not pick that up. Ben Joyce cannot be trusted to stay on the field or even pitch that well when he is healthy. They traded away Ryan Zeferjahn and Chase Silseth. Ryan Watson, Samy Natera Jr. and Jose Fermin are solid, young bullpen options, but they are not world-beaters by any means.

The Angels could offer Morejon a competitive deal to become their full-time closer, which could entice the lefty to no longer set up Mason Miller on a Padres team that lacks the money to retain an elite reliever.

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