Angels should have former Dodgers fan favorite on radar before offseason even begins

It's the time of the season when teams that have nothing to play for should start experimenting. The playoffs are out of the question, which means the only value the teams can gather is giving fringe roster players or prospects on the cusp of major-league readiness playing time to see who might provide value next season.

The Los Angeles Angels are certainly in that spot. Already completely eliminated from playoff contention, young players like Vaughn Grissom, Moises Ballesteros, Christian Moore, and Wade Meckler have already been getting a lot more playing time over the last few weeks.

This audition time shouldn't be limited to players in the organization, though. If an interesting player gets put on waivers by another club, and there is room on the roster to give them some playing time, claim them. That is exactly the case for LA right now with Ryan Ward.

Ryan Ward is a player who could make an impact for the Angels next season

The Dodgers designated Ward, last season's Pacific Coast League MVP, for assignment on Wednesday. The 5'10'', lefty is an outfield/first base type who got his first cup of coffee in the majors this season. Ward got 60 plate appearances across 20 games for the Dodgers, where he hit .218 but slugged .455, which gave him a .738 OPS. In his brief stint, the 28-year-old hit four doubles and three homers, drove in 12, and also drew five walks. In his Triple-A 2025 MVP season, he hit .290 with 31 home runs and 122 RBIs.

The Angels have some room in the outfield to house Ward and can rotate him in sparingly at first base too. In his 20 games, he played 15 games in left field, three at first, DH'd once, and pinch-hit once. While Meckler has mostly been in left this season, he has played some in right and could shift over there for the final week-plus of the season.

There is one issue when it comes to acquiring Ward: the Angels don't get first priority. Unfortunately for the Halos, Colorado will get first dibs on the 28-year-old because they have a worse record. With them in the same boat as LA., it's hard to see them passing on Ward.

If the former Dodger becomes available to the Angels, there is little reason to pass up the chance to claim him. The Angels have the means to give him playing time for a tryout, and he could become a staple in their outfield next season. These types of under-the-radar pickups are the little things that can give a team an edge the next season. The Angels should do everything they can to get Ward in the organization.

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