SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The Angels’ offseason is about to shift into high gear.
The Angels have been quietly working behind the scenes while the playoffs were underway for the past month, but with the start of the GM Meetings this week, they can begin more actively tackling a long list of to-do items.
The most important issues, of course, are hiring a manager and beginning the process of trying to retain Shohei Ohtani.
Since the Angels declined the option for Phil Nevin to return as manager, there have been plenty of rumored candidates but the Angels have not confirmed anyone who has been interviewed.
Buck Showalter, who worked with General Manager Perry Minasian when he began his baseball career with the Texas Rangers, has been widely assumed to be one of the top candidates. However, the Angels could have hired him already if he was their No. 1 choice.
Once the Angels have a manager, they’ll have to fill out the coaching staff. Matt Wise has already reportedly left his job as Angels pitching coach to become the bullpen coach for the Chicago White Sox.
As for Ohtani, the Angels made him a qualifying offer of $20.325 million, and Ohtani will reject it. All of that is a formality, having no bearing on the Angels’ chances of signing him.
The Angels have been able to negotiate with Ohtani throughout the season, but beginning Monday at 2 p.m. PT, Ohtani could begin to negotiate with all 30 teams.
If Ohtani’s history is any guide, he could make a relatively quick decision in free agency. When he first came to the major leagues in 2017, he began meeting with teams on a Monday and he picked the Angels on Friday.
He agreed to a $30 million arbitration deal in October 2022, about four months before a typical arbitration deal would be reached.
Certainly, the Angels and the other teams that are pursuing Ohtani would love to have his answer as soon as possible because a salary of $40 million to $50 million per year will have an impact on the rest of the roster.
Beyond the Ohtani question, the Angels need a little of everything.
Their current rotation includes Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Griffin Canning, Chase Silseth and Tyler Anderson. Without Ohtani in the rotation – even if he re-signs, he can’t pitch until 2025 because he had elbow surgery – the Angels could go with a five-man rotation.
Although each of the five has shown promise in the past couple of years, the Angels could use more depth to cover themselves in case of injuries or poor performance.
The top free agent starters are Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, right-handers Aaron Nola, Jordan Montgomery, Marcus Stroman and Sonny Gray and left-hander Blake Snell.
The Angels also need help for a bullpen that is currently just Carlos Estevez, who had a terrible second half, and a cast of unproven young pitchers. Left-hander Josh Hader and right-hander Jordan Hicks are the best relievers available. Typically the free agent reliever market is a crapshoot, with a team just as likely to find quality for $3 million as $10 million.
Among position players, the Angels have a reasonable answer at every position on the field. Like last year, though, they could use some versatility to provide depth wherever they spring a leak. Last year they picked up Brandon Drury and Gio Urshela because both could play multiple positions. This time around, a player like Cody Bellinger or Justin Turner could fit that bill.
STASSI UPDATE
Catcher Max Stassi is preparing to play for the Angels again next year, after missing the entire 2023 season to attend to issues with his newborn son, agent Joel Wolfe said from the GM Meetings on Monday.
Stassi revealed last month that his son Jackson had been dealing with serious health issues ever since he was born three months prematurely in April. Stassi also had a hip issue, so he was on the injured list for most of the season. The Angels eventually placed Stassi on the restricted list in September, an acknowledgement that the family issue was the reason he was unable to play.
Wolfe said that Stassi’s son has now been released from the hospital.
