Halos 'open for everything' amid metamorphosis

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 -- Angels general manager Perry Minasian has been busy at the annual General Managers Meetings in San Antonio. He agreed to terms with veteran right-hander Kyle Hendricks on a one-year deal worth $2.5 million on Wednesday.

It’s yet another move for the Angels early this offseason. They’ve also acquired slugger Jorge Soler, infielder Scott Kingery and first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda. But coming off a 99-loss season, Minasian told reporters on Tuesday that he expects to make more additions.

“We're open for everything, right?” Minasian said. “So we want to improve in every area -- whether it's rotation, whether it's bullpen, position player group. Depth is obviously really, really important in this game. So there's not one single area that we're looking for. We’re looking to improve the whole team.”

Hendricks is more of a depth move for the Angels, as the 11-year veteran is coming off a down year with the Cubs that saw him get briefly demoted to the bullpen. But he’ll be a strong addition to the clubhouse, and it’s a return home for him, as he grew up in nearby Orange County. He also was solid in 2023 and could be a bounce-back candidate late in his career.

The Angels are still in the market for starting pitching, especially after trading right-hander Griffin Canning to the Braves for Soler. Minasian said he’s open to making additions via free agency or trade. The Angels' payroll is expected to go up compared to last year. Soler is part of that, as he’s due to make $13 million in ’25 and again in ’26.

“We're going to look at every avenue,” Minasian said. “Whatever's available. Whatever's out there that can make the club better. Whoever's available from a free agency standpoint, we'll dig into and see if they're the right fit.”

Minasian was also asked about the Angels’ plan for superstar Mike Trout but said it’s something they’re still working through this offseason. Trout said he’s open to playing corner outfield or serving as designated hitter more in an effort to stay healthy.

It’s worth noting that most of his injuries came while hitting (back injury in ’22, hamate fracture in ’23 and torn meniscus in his left knee in ’24) and not while playing the outfield. Trout’s calf injury in ’21 also came on a freak play while running the bases on a popup to end the inning. There’s more running in center field but fewer hard cuts and turns and throws than playing a corner outfield spot. So there’s a lot the Angels are still weighing.

Soler, though, will be the club’s primary DH, which will take away some of those opportunities from Trout.

The Angels could still look to add someone who can handle center field this offseason to take the burden off Trout. But they already have a crowded outfield with Taylor Ward, Jo Adell, Mickey Moniak, Trout and Soler.

“It's yet to be determined as far as where he's playing,” Minasian said. “We’re still going through that. We're still having different discussions. Part of the reason we got Soler is he can go to the outfield here and there, and it opens up the DH spot.”

Third base was also a topic of conversation, as the Angels are being proactive with that position because of veteran Anthony Rendon’s injury and production issues in recent seasons. Rendon is owed $38.5 million in both ’25 and ’26, but starting at third base is far from a guarantee. The Angels are looking at upgrading at third base and have Luis Rengifo as an internal option.

“A healthy Anthony Rendon can obviously play there,” Minasian said. “Luis Rengifo has done a very nice job there. With that being said, we're open to anything. We're going to take a look at everything that's available.”