Angels early offseason moves 2024-2025

This story was excerpted from Rhett Bollinger’s Angels Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

ANAHEIM — The Angels haven’t wasted any time making additions to their roster since the World Series ended on Wednesday.

Angels general manager Perry Minasian said Thursday that he planned to be aggressive in adding to the roster this offseason, which fits with what owner Arte Moreno said in mid-October about the payroll increasing heading into next year. Adding Soler is evidence of that — as he’s due $13 million in 2025 and ’26 — and Canning made $2.6 million this year and is expected to get a raise heading into his final year of arbitration before free agency.

The question is how Soler fits, especially as a player who mostly serves as designated hitter and has averaged 44 games in the corner outfield over the past three seasons. But the Angels are confident that his bat will provide a huge boost to the lineup, while he’ll also be a clubhouse leader and is familiar with manager Ron Washington. Soler played on the Braves in 2021, when Washington was the club’s third-base coach and Soler helped Atlanta to a World Series title while earning Fall Classic MVP honors.

Soler’s presence could take away some time at designated hitter for veterans such as Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon, but Minasian said he believes Soler can play enough outfield to make it work. The Angels are still developing a plan to keep Trout on the field more next season, which could mean more time in the corner outfield and at DH. Minasian also said he could see keeping fellow outfielders Taylor Ward, Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak on the roster and doesn’t believe the outfield is too crowded.

Meanwhile, Rendon has much to prove in Spring Training to earn back playing time, as the Halos are expected to add a player who can play third base this offseason. Luis Rengifo could also see plenty of time there next season, especially if top prospect Christian Moore (Angels’ No. 2 prospect, No. 71 in baseball) becomes the club’s regular second baseman.

Kingery, 30, also gives the team some low-risk depth. He’s not on the 40-man roster but was ranked as high as the No. 35 overall prospect before the 2018 season and can play shortstop, second base, third base and center field. He’s mostly struggled in his time in the Majors, hitting a combined .229/.280/.387 in 325 games with Philadelphia from 2018-22. But he’s coming off a strong year with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, hitting .268/.316/.488 with 25 homers and 25 stolen bases in 125 games.

Noda, 28, also provides some plate discipline from the left side. He mostly plays first base but can play some corner outfield. Unlike Kingery, Noda is on the 40-man roster, but the Angels had an open spot after losing right-hander Roansy Contreras via waivers to the Rangers on Thursday, so they didn’t need to make a corresponding move.

Noda was a Rule 5 Draft pick by the A’s from the Dodgers and had a breakout rookie year in 2023, hitting .229/.364/.406 with 16 homers and 54 RBIs in 128 games. But he took a step back in ’24, batting .137/.255/.211 with one homer and four RBIs in 36 games. He gives the Angels insurance at first base behind Nolan Schanuel but also played more games in right field than first base at Triple-A last season, so he could see occasional time in the outfield.

Noda showed his patience at the plate with Triple-A Las Vegas, batting .224/.392/.486 with 22 homers and 54 RBIs in 101 games. Strikeouts are his biggest issue: He struck out in 34.2 percent of his at-bats in his two seasons in the Majors and 30 percent of his at-bats in the Minors last season.

The Angels will continue to monitor the free agent and trade markets this offseason and are now targeting starting pitching. They’re also still likely to add another infielder and will be active on the waiver wire, as their goal is to improve overall depth heading into 2025.