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4 former Angels hitting free agency and their chances of returning to Anaheim

Are any of them coming back?
ByNick San Miguel
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Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Taylor Ward (27) runs towards first base after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Taylor Ward (27) runs towards first base after hitting a single against the Detroit Tigers during the third inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Los Angeles Angels have plenty of holes to address this offseason, including manager and GM, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re going to be super active in free agency. There’s a decent chance they opt to rebuild and either let their younger players get opportunities or sign veterans to one-year deals rather than making big investments in players when they don’t know when they’ll be truly competitive again.

It’s always fun to keep an eye on former Angels who will be available in free agency and there are four players who fans will be familiar with. Could any of them be up for a reunion with the Angels?

4 former Angels who will be free agents in the offseason

Taylor Ward

The Angels decided to trade outfielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles last year knowing that he would be a free agent after the 2026 season. After Baltimore was out of it, Ward got dealt to the Seattle Mariners.

He put up some solid numbers in Baltimore, but it seems whatever offensive woes the Mariners had all season infected him after the trade deadline and he really struggled in the Pacific Northwest. In total on the season he hit .225/.359/.311 with seven home runs and 30 runs batted in.

Maybe a reunion could be in order with the Angels especially after the Josh Lowe experiment didn’t work out all that well, but they may just decide to roll with Wade Meckler rather than signing Ward.

Patrick Sandoval

There was a time when Patrick Sandoval seemed like he could be a future ace for the Halos. He had a 2.91 ERA in 27 starts back in 2022, but he struggled the next two seasons and ended up signing a two-year deal with the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2025 season.

He missed all of 2025 due to injury and then in 2026, he had a 5.12 ERA in 70 and 1/3 innings pitched. Perhaps he’d make sense on a one-year deal with the Angels, but they’d probably be better off giving their younger arms opportunities.

Jorge Soler

Once a feared slugger, by the time Jorge Soler reached the Angels he was basically a shell of his former self. He hit .208/.292/.380 with 24 homers and 83 runs batted in across 2025 and 2026 combined, and the Angels decided to release him. A reunion doesn’t really make any sense and Soler may just end up retiring or playing internationally.

Hunter Strickland

Another guy who Angels fans became familiar with the last few seasons is Hunter Strickland. The reliever pitched for the Angels in 2024 and 2025, and spent 2026 in the minors with LA where he had an awful 13.15 ERA. He’s probably not worth another shot on at this point and he’d probably be lucky to get a minor league contract with another team. 

Everyone loves a good reunion, but with where the Angels are at right now they should probably be avoiding looking to the past and instead be focused on the future as they try to turn the franchise around.

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