Halos' wise new vets 'going to help tremendously'

TEMPE, Ariz. -- The Angels know that continuing to develop their young core is key to their success and that adding the right veterans to that mix can help them get even better.

That¡¯s why they were so aggressive in the offseason to acquire experienced players and they¡¯re already seeing the benefits early in camp. Right-hander Kyle Hendricks, lefty Yusei Kikuchi and catcher Travis d¡¯Arnaud have been positive influences early this spring, as they¡¯ve all been around to help mentor their younger teammates. Left-hander Reid Detmers, who is looking to fulfill his immense potential after a rough 2024 season, has his locker in between Hendricks and Kikuchi and has been taking advantage of it.

¡°The last four or five days we've been here, it's been unbelievable talking to these guys,¡± Detmers said. ¡°I'm just kind of picking their brains. I got a good [locker] spot, obviously.¡±

General manager Perry Minasian said that adding veterans, especially with postseason experience, was a priority in the offseason. He believes the Angels are in a better position than they were last year because their youngsters gained experience and the organization was able to be more active in acquiring players this offseason.

¡°We brought in a lot of veteran players that have accomplished a lot of things in their career,¡± Minasian said. ¡°Being in a clubhouse for 37-38 years of my life, I¡¯m big on our young core, which is obviously very, very important to us, being surrounded with the right guys. I'm very happy with where we're at.¡±

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Hendricks has plenty of experience, pitching 11 seasons with the Cubs, which included winning the World Series in 2016. He said it¡¯s still early in the process of mentoring others, but he is always open to talk baseball with his teammates.

¡°I'm just the new guy, so I'm getting to know everybody,¡± Hendricks said. ¡°I'm not coming in coaching. That's not who I am. I'm just excited to be one of the guys, be part of the group. But everybody talks baseball at some point. So it just comes up organically. That's how I like to go about it.¡±

Kikuchi, who has pitched in the Majors for six seasons with the Mariners, Blue Jays and Astros after nine years in Japan, said he likes to lead by example. He has a particularly vigorous routine, and it¡¯s kept him healthy and effective, as he¡¯s made at least 29 starts in four of his five full seasons in the big leagues.

¡°I¡¯ve been around, and so I would like to help out in any way I can for the young guys,¡± Kikuchi said through interpreter Yusuke Oshima. ¡°I have a routine, so I hope guys can take notice of what I do in order to prepare for games.¡±

d¡¯Arnaud, a 12-year veteran who won the World Series with the Braves in 2021, said he¡¯s excited to help mentor fellow catcher Logan O¡¯Hoppe and the club¡¯s younger pitchers. He believes it¡¯s important to have players with experience to lean on and likes the mix of veterans the club added this winter.

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¡°The 162-game season is no joke,¡± d¡¯Arnaud said. ¡°So to have guys who have been around and been through that grind, and not only that but a couple World Series champions with Kyle and even a World [Series] MVP over there with Jorge [Soler], I think it's gonna be good for these young kids.¡±

Angels manager Ron Washington felt like the club didn¡¯t have enough experienced players last season and that young players respond better to teammates than coaches. So he¡¯s pleased with the additions the Angels have made, and they also have pending deals with closer Kenley Jansen and third baseman Yo¨¢n Moncada, while also signing veteran infielders Tim Anderson and J.D. Davis to Minor League deals.

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¡°They're going to help tremendously,¡± Washington said. ¡°They got wisdom, they got knowledge, and they've been successful. And they know what it takes to be successful. And they seem to be the kind that don't mind sharing.¡±

Kikuchi said that young core is why he ultimately signed with the Angels on a three-year deal worth $63 million and that he is confident in the organization¡¯s direction. He believes the club can surprise this season and has sensed the organization¡¯s change in culture for the better.

¡°I feel like we can win with this team,¡± Kikuchi said. ¡°I really feel that with the young guys coming up. Even through contract negotiations, I thought that this team really wants to win.¡±