4 nightmare roster decisions the Angels could make before Opening Day 2025

On paper, the Angels are a better team than last year's model that finished with a franchise-worst 63-99 record. However, despite a flurry of activity early on this offseason, the roster is far from complete. There are several players still available and moves to be made that can build a dream roster with the roughly $35 million the team has left to spend.

With the Angels promising to contend in 2025, it is paramount that they make the right decisions with what's left on the board this offseason. If they choose wrong, and in some cases decide to stand pat, a nightmare scenario will brew that will see the team struggle to be appreciably better in 2025.

If the Angels make the following decisions, Angels fans will be in for another long year as a nightmare scenario will come to fruition in 2025.

1. Relying on Anthony Rendon at third base

The Angels realize that Rendon and his seven-year $245 million contract is an albatross, yet aside from signing Tim Anderson and J.D. Davis to minor league deals, they've done nothing to ensure he doesn't have a path to regular playing time in 2025.

The infield has gone unaddressed, and unless top prospect Christian Moore wins the Opening Day second base job, Rendon is currently penciled in as the starting third baseman. Moore could certainly impress in spring training, which would push Luis Rengifo to third and Rendon to the bench. Last year's first-round pick has just 25 games of minor-league experience under his belt. Matthew Lugo could also filter in at third base in theory, but he was moved to outfield the past couple seasons in the minors.

Should Moore win the job in spring training and subsequently struggle once the season is underway, the Halos have almost no choice but to turn to Rendon. The free agent market in the infield wasn't robust to start the season, and the scraps that are left over are certainly uninspiring. Failing to provide any sort of alternative to the biggest free-agent bust in franchise history is a true nightmare. Make a trade, Perry! Go out and get Eugenio Suárez!

2. Signing Alex Verdugo

Last month, it was reported that the Angels are looking for outfield upgrades and have interest in free-agent outfielder Alex Verdugo. Verdugo won't cost much, but adding the temperamental outfielder wouldn't be a wise decision.

For one, the Angels already have five players in the mix between outfield and DH. Mike Trout and Taylor Ward are two of the best hitters on the team. Jorge Soler will be the primary DH and is an impact bat who can also spend some time in the corners. Jo Adell has shown flashes that may indicate a breakout is coming, and Mickey Moniak is another young player with potential.

Essentially, Verdugo would be replacing Moniak in the outfield rotation as a left-handed bat. While Moniak certainly shouldn't be viewed as an irreplaceable player, it's hard to sell Verdugo as an upgrade.

The Angels could certainly use a left-handed power bat to insert into their lineup. Last season, the team finished 28th in the majors with an anemic .369 slugging percentage. While Jorge Soler will help, pretty much all the Angels' power potential comes from the right side.

Power isn't Verdugo's game, with 13 dingers being his single-season career high. Last year, he slugged just .356 with a .123 ISO. In contrast, Moniak has hit 14 homers in each of the last two years in a semi-part-time role, and his .161 ISO in 2024 and .215 ISO in 2023 are significantly better than what Verdugo has been able to produce. Both are flawed hitters, but with an 83 wRC+ last season versus Moniak's 79, it's hard to say that Verdugo is actually a better hitter.

Lastly, the Angels could use someone who can reliably play centerfield to help preserve Trout's health. Moniak can do that at an acceptable level, as he posted 1 defensive runs saved in center last season whereas Verdugo's never been a full-time centerfielder and save for 15.1 innings last year hasn't played the position since 2021.

Simply put, spending the limited funds remaining on Verdugo who is neither more talented nor a better fit than the outfielders currently on the roster would be a disaster.

3. Trusting Yusei Kikuchi and José Soriano to lead the rotation

Starting pitching has long been the Angels' Achilles heel, and to their credit, they made some moves to address it earlier this offseason by signing Yusei Kikuchi and Kyle Hendricks.

As currently constructed, Kikuchi will be the no. 1 starter with impressive youngster José Soriano slotting into the no. 2 spot behind him. While there are reasons to like both of those two hurlers, they're both slotted a spot higher than they should be in an ideal world.

Kikuchi posted a sparkling 2.70 ERA in 10 starts and 60 innings pitched down the stretch for the Houston Astros, but he posted a 4.75 ERA in 22 starts and 115.2 innings pitched prior to the deadline deal. Over his six-year career, he has more seasons (3) with an ERA over 5.00 than he does seasons with an ERA under 4.00 (1).

Soriano is the human embodiment of the good and the bad in the Angels' rotation. His 3.42 ERA and 59.7% groundball rate were stellar. His 7.73 K/9 was underwhelming given his high octane velocity which features a 99+ mile per hour fastball and 97+ miler per hour sinker. Lastly, he was limited to just 20 starts after being shut down with arm fatigue. He could be great, average, or unavailable in 2025, which ultimately is too much uncertainty to have at the top of the rotation if the team hopes to compete.

Unfortunately, the options are drying up. Jack Flaherty just signed a reasonable short-term deal with the Detroit Tigers. Nick Pivetta is flawed, but the best free-agent option left. The trade market isn't incredibly robust, but there are some options out there.

The Angels probably won't be able to acquire a true ace, however. If they don't add another pitcher who has the potential to be a solid no. 2 type arm, they could find themselves in a less-than-ideal scenario as the 2025 season progresses.

4. Not adding a bullpen arm (or two) to fortify the group around Ben Joyce

Ben Joyce and his 105mph fastball is a great piece to have in the 'pen. However, while Joyce was unhittable at times last year, this is a guy with a total of 44.2 innings pitched and massive health concerns that the team is hoping to slot into the closer role.

Relievers are volatile in nature, but the rest of the pen doesn't inspire much confidence. Robert Stephenson will likely be back at some point, however, he's recovering from Tommy John surgery so his timetable and effectiveness upon his return are both up in the air.

All of this is to say, without addressing the pen with some proven arms things could go off the rails real quick. The good news is that there are veteran options with lengthy track records of productivity still on the market.

The Angels were never going to be at the top of the relief market for a guy like Tanner Scott. However, veterans like David Robertson, Kenley Jansen, and Kyle Finnegan are still available, have long track records of success, and can either act as a setup man or closer should Joyce falter.

Adding certainty to the back of the bullpen should be a priority, and if the Angels fail to do this the volatility of the current group could certainly derail the season, even if the necessary upgrades are made in the lineup and the rotation.

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