The Angels’ trade of outfielder Taylor Ward for right-hander Grayson Rodriguez stands as one of the most notable and most surprising deals of the young offseason. The swap caught Ward himself off guard, as he told Sam Blum of The Athletic, but the outfielder expressed gratitude to the Halos and had nothing but good things to say about his experience with the organization. Ward is a free agent after the season, and he noted to Blum that he’d be open to re-signing in Anaheim if the team shows interest next winter — though obviously a lot can happen between now and then. Said Ward:
“I had a wonderful time being in Anaheim, playing in Anaheim, getting to know the guys and getting to play next to Hall of Fame players too. I’m just very thankful for that time period, and it’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life.”
General manager Perry Minasian said after the trade that he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add four years of a viable rotation arm in exchange for one year of Ward, even if there’s severe injury risk with Rodriguez, who hasn’t pitched since July 2024. Via Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, Minasian called Rodriguez “a gamble worth taking” and noted that when healthy, the former first-round pick and top prospect “can beat anybody on any given night.”
For the 2026 season, Rodriguez will surely be on some form of innings limit. Between that and the general uncertainty behind Yusei Kikuchi and Jose Soriano in the rotation, the Angels remain in the market for further starting pitching upgrades. They’re also known to be on the hunt for help at third base and in center field. Whatever additions are (or aren’t) made in the outfield will impact any chances of the return referenced by Ward. Jorge Soler is a free agent next offseason. Jo Adell is under club control through 2027.
The free agent market is thin on center fielders, but Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports that the Angels have at least checked in on the top name available: Cody Bellinger. Given the Halos’ need in center, it’s only natural that they’d perform some due diligence. (It’d almost be more noteworthy to hear that they weren’t planning to at least gauge the price on Bellinger.) Heyman notes that a match between the two parties is viewed as a long shot, which shouldn’t come as a great surprise. Bellinger figures to finally command a nine-figure deal in free agency, likely for five or even six years.
While the Angels have the payroll capacity to make that type of addition — Mike Trout is the only player guaranteed anything beyond the 2027 season — it’s an open question as to whether Bellinger can truly be considered an everyday center fielder anymore. He hasn’t played the position on a full-time basis since 2022 and logged only 306 innings there with the Yankees in 2025.
Bellinger’s sprint speed hasn’t really dipped since that time, but Bellinger still has drawn negative grades from Defensive Runs Saved (-4) and Statcast (-1 OAA) in just over 700 innings of center field work across the past two seasons. He’d certainly be better there than Adell was when forced into the position in ’25 (-13 DRS, -8 OAA), but Bellinger will draw significant interest from contenders who are a cleaner fit — the Yankees certainly among them. After playing on teams with clear postseason aspirations throughout his entire career, he may also be skeptical of joining an Angels club that’s a long shot to contend.
Photo courtesy of Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images
“Bellinger figures to finally command a nine-figure deal in free agency, likely for five or even six years.”
I do not wanna be the tm that gives him 9 figures & 6 yrs
That would be about the only way that he would sign with the Angels. Color me skeptical.
Yankees are the only team where that has a chance at working out, his bat plays perfectly for the short porch
If he signs anywhere else prepare for sub 700 ops production
Yea he has a much higher OPS playing at home with Yanks.
So just like Issac Parades will only work in short left porch. (Astros fan translation)
Astros, You’re exactly right.
If he was a pull LH hitter that could take advantage of RF, then maybe.
Angels need to start being smart and add players that take advantage of the dimensions!!!
I’d do 100M/6 lol
The 5.1 bWAR he produced for the Yankees is worth about $50 million. His $27.5 million salary for his last year is the floor for his next deal. A 5-6 year deal ends with his age 35 or 36 season, so teams are not having to eat the worst years that come from 36 on.
His average from 2023-2025 was 4.0 WAR. If he signs the 5/140 deal that this site expects or a 6/168 deal then he would need to average a 2.8 WAR for the team to have gotten their money’s worth. That seems a pretty easy goal for him to accomplish.
What is your aversion to using the letters “ea” together?
“chandlerbing” is a reactionary first-commenter goofball so spelling and grammar isn’t exactly his expertise.
@VegasMoved I thought he was going for gm, not team. Either one makes sense, I guess.
Hmmm if only the Angels had a third baseman hmmmmm…
Maybe one with World Series experience.
Hits lots of doubles, too.
If only such a player existed.
I wonder if they have a player that enjoys playing the game of baseball, and takes reporters seriously, and speaks English…
Who are yall talking about
Phillies will give them Alec Bohm
They do.
We’re so far away from contention that adding Bellinger won’t help much.
And I really like Belli.
I don’t know about that. Pitching has been their weakest point for the last 11 years. If they can get some pitching, they might be able to turn the corner. I like the young core hitters, just need a vet or two thrown in (not Soler).
Very true, Midway. But Moreno has proven over decades that he does not value pitching. I don’t see that changing in a meaningful way under his ownership.
Nah, Bellinger will be the next Josh Hamilton if he signs anywhere else other than with the Yankees
Honestly, for a non-contender prioritizing value over splash would make me think Bader is the better option at a lower cost. Going to get elite glove in CF and he put up decent offensive numbers last year as well. But who knows, maybe Arte pulls out the check book and signs Belly to another massive contract.
I don’t think I would complain too much about Bader.
Bader is cheaper than Cody Bellinger.
Angels need a left handed power bat. If they can sign a 3rd baseman that fits that description than you can go with Bader instead. Angels are looking for what they need not settling at this point.
Funny how ward mentioned the hall of famers (trout and ohtani) because besides pujols there haven’t been a lot of greats in Anaheim recently
He mentioned them because they are a lock as HOF’s that doesn’t mean their were not great players other than Ohtani and Trout during his tenure with the Angles.
Word is the Angels have at least checked in on Cody Bellinger — the top name on the market. With a crater-sized hole in center field, it makes sense they’d do some due diligence. Honestly, it’d be more surprising if they weren’t sniffing around.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Jon Heyman calls a Bellinger-Halos pairing a “long shot.” So is this Arte kicking the tires… or just window shopping again? Because if this is the start of Moreno finally cracking open the vault, great. But if it’s just another offseason of smoke and mirrors,
Or is it Heyman talking out of his pooper.
Angels aren’t signing another Scott Boras client to a big contract.
But they will gladly take his $$$ for the dugout suite he buys every year at Angel Stadium
John mabry is a good hitting instructor. Brady Anderson knows about getting on base. Lots of free agents available.
Angels will sign nobody decent.
Angels will sign nobody decent’ hot take! Appreciate the effort, man. You got right to the point
I’ve liked Bellinger for the Angles for a while. I can see Bellinger and Trout maybe sharing CF/DH duties for their preservation and longevity. But without a Major League pitching staff, none of it matters.
Same. He’s made sense for a few years now.
Yusei Kikuchi, a major league starter for the Angels, was an all-star this year
There’s always an exception but I think you get what I’m saying.
To add, the team ERA was 4.89, ranking them 28th out of 30 teams in 2025. We need Major League pitching.
I think Okamoto is a good fit for the Angels. More reasonably priced, a little power great contact and OB% and he said he would prefer Anaheim.
If I were running the Angels, I’d strongly consider committing to a full reset. This offseason should be about maximizing long-term value, even if that means taking a step back in the short term. Trading players like Jo Adell and Yusei Kikuchi while their value is still respectable could bring in a meaningful haul of prospects—pieces that might actually align with the franchise’s next competitive window.
And let’s be realistic: with the uncertainty surrounding a potential 2027 season, the organization would be wise to treat 2026 as a developmental year and position itself for a major push once the league landscape stabilizes. Entering the 2028 preseason with financial flexibility and a couple of young, MLB-ready contributors would give the Angels a much cleaner foundation than they’ve had in years.
Add to that the opportunity to dip into a potentially strong 2027 free-agent class—landing three or four legitimate contributors—and suddenly the Angels could look like a team ready to compete again, not just tread water.
Urnuts, I agree with you 110 percent. Well thought and well stated. That is exactly what the Angels should be doing.
There will be a 2027 MLB season
Oh I did not see a new CBA was signed. My bad.
Arte Moreno’s roster strategy is like patching potholes with gold bricks. Flashy, expensive, and completely useless long-term.
The Angels didn’t need another statue they needed a scouting department.
Imagine five years of elite player development instead of paying $60M+ for Pujols and Rendon to rehab and retire in the dugout.
Time to stop and demolition Arte Moreno project. Blow it up. Build it right.!
A++ comment! I wonder if I’m in the minority of baseball fans that would go to more Angels games – in real time – if they made it known they were committing serious funds to player development and better draft eligible scouting? Either way, the payroll ledger looks nice after next season.