LAS VEGAS — The Angels’ quest for offensive upgrades this winter is somewhat complicated by the fact that there are few realistic, attractive left-handed hitting options.
First baseman Nolan Schanuel was the only player to give the Angels consistent production from the left side of the plate in 2025. The Angels had the second most right-on-right plate appearances in the majors last season, which played a role in their high strikeout rate.
General Manager Perry Minasian, obviously hoping to keep his options open, said adding left-handed hitters is a preference, but not a necessity.
“Is that the No. 1 pressing need? Is that ‘A’ on the check list of things to do? No,” Minasian said at MLB’s annual GM Meetings. “But it is something we’ve talked about a ton. We want to be a more balanced offense.”
The three best free agent hitters – designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and outfielders Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger – are all left-handed hitters. All of those players figure to be out of the Angels’ price range, though.
After that, the next best free agent lefty is center fielder Trent Grisham. He could be a perfect fit, because he can also play center field, but even he might prove to be too expensive. Grisham also received a Qualifying Offer from the New York Yankees, which adds a draft pick to the cost associated with signing him.
Other left-handed free agents who could fit the Angels’ positional preference – center field or third base – include outfielder Cedric Mullins and infielder Adam Frazier. Mullins and Frazier were both below-average hitters in 2025. They could trade for St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman, another below-average hitter last season.
(Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan is a much more attractive left-handed bat who is available via trade, but he’s better suited to play second base, and the Angels don’t want to block Christian Moore.)
Getting a left-handed hitting upgrade won’t be easy, which is why Minasian is not limiting himself.
“You’re not just going to take a left-handed hitter because he’s left-handed, if you don’t believe they can hit,” Minasian said. “That’s the catch, right? It’s not just left-handed. It’s who’s left-handed and productive. …
“There are some really attractive right-handed hitters that I’d love to have, that are just good hitters, that I don’t necessarily think anyone cares if they’re right-handed or left-handed. So does it have to be left-handed? No. Apples to apples? Of course, you choose left hand over right-handed.”
MORE COACHES
The Angels finalized deals with three more coaches, including bringing former catcher Max Stassi back as the catching coach.
They will also promote Triple-A manager Keith Johnson to be the third base coach and Double-A manager Andy Schatzley to be the infield coach.
Manager Kurt Suzuki’s staff now includes six coaches, as those three join bench coach John Gibbons, pitching coach Mike Maddux and first base and outfield coach Adam Eaton.
The Angels still need to find one or two more pitching coaches, at least one of whom will be the bullpen coach, and at least two hitting coaches. The next hire is likely to be their lead hitting coach.
Stassi last played in the majors with the Angels in 2022, and he spent the past three years in the minors or rehabbing from injuries. Stassi missed the 2023 season because of a hip injury, but also because he and his wife were dealing with the significant health issues of their prematurely born son.
In 2022, Stassi paired with Suzuki as the catchers for the 2022 Angels. That was the last season the Angels’ pitching ranked in the top half of the majors.
“Obviously, he played here,” Minasian said. “He understands. He’s got a great relationship with the manager. They were really tight when they played together. And he’s a worker. He loves the game, he studies the game, the technical side of catching. He’s very talented. Whether it’s receiving, whether it’s throwing, whether it’s blocking, all those things. He takes a lot of pride in that. … Obviously, he’s somebody that we feel like can come in and impact the catchers we have in a real positive way.”
Johnson gets his first chance at being a member of the major league staff after spending 18 years in various capacities in the Angels’ farm system, including 10 years managing at Triple-A. Johnson managed Salt Lake for the past three seasons.
Schatzley also will be on a major league staff for the first time after managing for five years in the Angels’ farm system. Schatzley managed at Double-A the past four years. Prior to that, he worked in various jobs in college baseball.
Minasian said it could be good for the development of the young players to reunite with managers they had in the minors.
“They have some relationships, not only with the players, but with Kurt too,” Minasian said. “Kurt’s been with us the last three years. He’s been in our minor leagues, spring training. He’s had the ability to create relationships with those guys (Johnson and Schatzley). I think it’s one of those things where you just hit the ground running.”
RISING PROSPECT
Outfielder Raudi Rodriguez was named the MVP of the Arizona Fall League All-Star Game last weekend. He has hit .433 with an OPS of 1.164 in the AFL.
Rodriguez, the Angels’ 19th-round draft pick in 2023, has played just one full season in the farm system. He hit .281 with an .842 OPS at Class-A Inland Empire this season.
“The combination of makeup and strength gains have allowed him to really improve and take off this year,” Minasian said. “He’s one of many guys we’re really excited about. He may not get the pub that some of these other young players have from other teams. With that being said, we’re really excited about him.”