The Los Angeles Angels wasted no time during the 2024 MLB Offseason retooling their roster for the 2025 season. Los Angeles has already signed five key players this offseason. Starting Pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, Shortstop Kevin Newman, Catcher Travis d’Arnaud, Starting Pitcher Kyle Hendricks, and Right Fielder Jorge Soler will all be a part of the Los Angeles Angels next season. These moves have added $48 million to the club’s payroll for the 2025 season.
Los Angeles is no stranger to an offseason spending spree as the team signed Third Baseman Anthony Rendon to a seven-year $245 million contract during the 2019 offseason. This contract is on the short list of one of the worst in Major League Baseball as Rendon has rarely been on the field as a member of the Los Angeles Angels. Will the five offseason moves lead to success on the field in 2025 and beyond?
Los Angeles Angels Look To Get Back On Track
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It was another rough season for the Angels as they watched Shohei Ohtani win a World Series with the cross-town rivals, Mike Trout was only able to play 29 games as his injury woes continued, and the team missed the MLB Playoffs for the 10th straight season. Los Angeles finished the season in last place in the American League West with a 63-99 record.
Los Angeles did nothing well last season as they were 28th in batting average, 22nd in home runs, and 28th in runs scored. The Angels’ pitching staff struggled as well in 2024. They were 26th in team ERA, 21st in opposing batting average, 26th in WHIP, and 29th in strikeouts. These statistics illustrated the Los Angeles Angels need as much help as they can get.
How Will These Players Help Los Angeles?
Kikuchi is the biggest move the Angels have made this offseason. He has had a stellar MLB career and finished 9-10 with a 4.05 ERA in 2024. He finished the season eighth in strikeouts across the league. Hendricks is another veteran pitcher that should help bolster LA’s pitching staff. He had the worst season of his career in 2024 but had a strong finish to the year with a 2.89 ERA in September. d’Arnaud will serve as the team’s backup catcher to Logan O’Hoppe. Even though O’Hoppe struggled in 2024, he will be a cornerstone of the team for years to come.
Soler, the 2021 World Series MVP, will be LA’s starting right fielder in 2025. He is a power hitter who will look to provide a jolt to a Los Angeles Angels offense that has struggled in recent years. Newman will backup Zach Neto at the shortstop position next season. Newman may have the chance though to be the team’s Opening Day shortstop as Neto had shoulder surgery that has his status for the start of the 2025 season unknown. Newman had the best season of his career last year as a member of the Arizona Diamondbacks. He will look to recreate his performance with Los Angeles.
Final Thoughts
The Los Angeles Angels have opened up their checkbook in the opening days of the 2024 MLB Offseason. Los Angeles has been one of the worst teams in Major League Baseball over the last decade. The signing of these five players is an attempt by Los Angeles to get out of the rut the franchise has been in. These are solid moves on paper, but as all fans know, the games are not played on paper. Instead, they are played out on the field. Los Angeles needs all five of these players to succeed in 2025 for the ballclub to reach its fullest potential.
