Halos Today

Angels Free Agent Infielder Signs With Major AL West Rival

Gabe Smallson

Sep 28, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Jack Lopez (10) hits a RBI single during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images
Sep 28, 2024; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels shortstop Jack Lopez (10) hits a RBI single during the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images / Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

The Los Angeles Angels offseason was dynamic right off the bat.

They wasted no time acquiring Jorge Soler on the last day of October and then had a busy November, acquiring more veterans like utility man Scott Kingery, right-hander Kyle Hendricks, catcher Travis d'Arnaud, and infielder Kevin Newman.

The crown jewel of the Halos free agency thus far has been the Nov. 27 signing of free agent southpaw Yusei Kikuchi. At Kikuchi's introductory press conference, general manager Perry Minasian said something that proved to be about one-third true.

More news: Angels Looking to Make Major Additions Before Spring Training, Says Insider

“We’ve been pretty aggressive. We’re going to continue to be aggressive,” Minasian said. “I wouldn’t say anything’s off-limits.”

The first part could not be more true. L.A. was certainly aggressive in forming a roster to build upon an abysmal 63-win year.

The second sentence in his quote appears to have been forgotten. Perhaps the Thanksgiving meal enjoyed a day after the Kikuchi signing made the Angels stagnant in offseason moves.

Since signing the southpaw, all the Angels have done is sign another backup catcher in Chuckie Robinson and watch name after name in the free agency class sign with other teams.

Roki Sasaki eliminated the Angels from contention long before signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Anthony Santander proved to be a failed pursuit, and KBO star Hyeseong Kim was even reportedly offered more money from the Halos and still wound up with the other L.A. ball club.

More news: Mike Trout Expected to Mostly Be Center Fielder For Angels in 2025

The Angels have now lost a second baseman in Jack Lopez to the Seattle Mariners farm system after a productive 2024. The Mariners signed Lopez to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training.

Lopez played in 104 games for the Angels Triple-A affiliate Salt Lake Bees, recording a .274/.333/.421 slash line and an OPS of .754. He finished 2024 with 12 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 106 hits.

Lopez also made a brief appearance in the majors last season playing 27 games with the Angels. In that time, he slashed .254/.286/.343 with 17 hits, one home run, and six RBIs.

More news: MLB Insider Provides Massive Update on Angels' Pete Alonso Pursuit

More news: Angels Could Use $245 Million Infielder as Backup First Baseman in 2025: Report

Published
Gabe Smallson
GABE SMALLSON

Gabe Smallson is a sportswriter based in Los Angeles. His focus is sports and entertainment content. Gabe has previously worked at DodgersNation and Newsweek. He graduated from San Francisco State University in 2020 and is a Masters Candidate at the University of Southern California. You can get in touch with Gabe by emailing gabe.smallson@lasportsreport.com. You can find him on X @gabesmallson

Home/Angels News