Angels Free Agent Rumors Have Them Trending on Social Media; Who Might They Sign?
The Angels beat the Texas Rangers 13-4 on Sept. 15, 2002 at the Big A. That brought their record to 94-55 with 13 games to play — a slam dunk to reach the 100-win threshold for the first time in franchise history.
Instead they backed into the postseason, finishing 5-8 to finish the season with 99 wins.
These days, this is a minor historical footnote. No one remembers how the Angels finished the 2002 regular season because they won the first, and only, World Series in franchise history that October.
The Angels won't win the offseason of 2023-24. The Dodgers cinched that title by swiping Shohei Ohtani in free agency, trading for Tyler Glasnow, then adding Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Teoscar Hernandez to bolster their rotation and lineup, respectively. It only cost them a billion dollars.
For now, however, the Angels have unofficially backed into the title of "most likely team to make a splash before spring training."
No team outside of Los Angeles had committed even $200 million to free agents entering the month of January. That included the Angels, whose three-year, $33 million commitment to reliever Robert Stephenson more than doubled the reported outlay to Zach Plesac, Luis Garcia, Adam Cimber, Adam Kolarek and Matt Moore combined.
Historically, the Angels have spent close to the competitive balance tax threshold, never finishing lower than 11th in player payroll since Arte Moreno purchased the team in 2003. Currently, the Angels have nearly $50 million to throw at their 2024 payroll before incurring a luxury tax.
Not surprisingly, the Angels have been linked to some of the biggest names remaining in this winter's free agent class, including pitcher Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger.
The Angels have also been linked to free agent first baseman Joey Votto. General manager Perry Minasian didn't exactly douse any flames by telling reporters he's "definitely" not done making moves.
With other teams crying poor, the Angels have practically backed in to the head of the MLB rumor mill. There's something at stake beyond the usual horse-race intrigue that follows free agent rumors, too. By adding a couple high-end talents to their roster, the 2024 Angels might actually be good.
With external pressure to make a big signing or two — to say nothing of the internal discussions around potential acquisitions — it's no wonder the eyes of social media are on the Angels and general manager Perry Minasian.
Just like the fall of 2002, the final weeks of this offseason will soon be a moot point. The Angels, whomever they decide to roster this season, will have a chance to prove it on the field. Pitchers and catchers will hold their first spring training workout Feb. 14.
