ORLANDO, Fla. — The Angels purchased another lottery ticket.
The Angels swung a deal to get former top prospect Vaughn Grissom, an infielder whose status has fallen since disappointing performances with the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox.
The Angels sent Class-A outfielder Isaiah Jackson to Boston to complete the trade. Jackson was the Angels’ eighth-round draft pick last summer, and he had played just 10 professional games, hitting .219.
Grissom, who turns 25 next month, is out of options. He will come to spring training with a chance to win a bench spot or possibly even everyday at-bats. He has primarily been a middle infielder, but he can also play first base, third base and the outfield.
“He definitely fits somewhere,” Angels general manager Perry Minasian said. “That’s the beauty. He can do a lot of different things.”
The flier is similar to the chance the Angels took on pitcher Alek Manoah, who has been injured or ineffective since starting his major-league career with an All-Star season.
Grissom never even got to that level, though.
Grissom has hit .255 with a .654 OPS in 95 major-league games, none since 2024.
He was well-regarded enough for the Red Sox to get him as a piece of the deal that sent left-hander Chris Sale to Atlanta.
“He was a highly regarded prospect at one time,” said Minasian, who was with the Braves when they drafted Grissom out of high school in 2019. “Obviously traded for a big-time player and all those things. Sometimes things don’t work out in one place and there’s a better fit in another. We’re hoping that’s the case.”
The Angels have only two set positions in their infield, with Nolan Schanuel at first and Zach Neto at shortstop. Christian Moore, one of their top young players, played only second base last season, but the Angels have seen enough of him during fall workouts that they now believe he could adapt to third, if necessary.
They also have Oswald Peraza, who is similar to Grissom in that he was a touted prospect who has been a disappointment so far in his career. The Angels saw glimpses of offensive improvement in Peraza after reworking his swing last season.
Minasian said it’s possible that Grissom and Peraza could be on the team.
The Angels are still looking for an upgrade at either second or third.
Grissom isn’t likely to be the answer, although Minasian is open to a pleasant surprise.
“We feel like there’s upside to that bat,” Minasian said. “If you ask him, the last couple years haven’t gone how he’s wanted them to go, but he’s still 24 years old and has a ton of upside and we felt it’s someone we should take shot on.”
BORAS ON RENDON
Agent Scott Boras provided little on the reported discussion surrounding third baseman Anthony Rendon and whether the Angels will be able to reach an agreement to end his time with the team.
“When they make proposals to us, we’ll respond,” Boras said. “If they want him to play, he’s ready to go do it. That’s all I know.”
Boras said Rendon is currently undergoing physical therapy.
Rendon is due to make $38 million in the final year of a seven-year, $245 million contract. He has spent most of that time on the injured list, including missing the entire 2025 season because of hip surgery. The Angels might be able to free up some money for the 2026 roster if they can get Rendon to defer a portion of his salary.
VETERAN LEADERSHIP
The Angels have their most experience in years heading the pitching staff, with pitching coach Mike Maddux, assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott and bullpen coach Dom Chiti.
Maddux has been a major league pitching coach since 2009. Scott was a pitching coach in the Colorado Rockies’ system since 2009, including since 2010 in the majors. Chiti has been a coach in the majors and minors since 1982.
“It’s experience with an open-mindedness to anything and everything,” Minasian said. “They’re hungry for more. So that’s what’s exciting. That’s why Mike’s been so good throughout his career. He’s just a baseball rat who loves everything about the game and is just wants everything and will sift through it and determine what’s important and what’s not and has a great way of communicating with players.
“And Darryl has the same reputation from talking to a lot of the people that worked with him in Colorado. Obviously Dom has a great track record with that too. And they all do it in different ways.”