The Los Angeles Angels are doing well so far in 2025, but it takes some difficult decisions to keep up big league rosters for the duration of a season. Nothing is simple, particularly when players start to sag and injuries start to pile up.
What steps may the Angels take to demonstrate that their stellar start to the season is more than a passing fad? Are there any changes that could boost morale and on-field performance in 2025 while also strengthening the team’s success in upcoming seasons?
Will the Angels extend Taylor Ward?
When fans debate who the Angels should extend, Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel, José Soriano, and the rest of the team’s youthful core are given all the credit. In all likelihood, the Angels will take it easy as long as their young core is still under rookie contracts. Ward, however, is running out of time. He will be a free agent starting in his age-33 season after 2026, which is his last year of arbitration with the Angels.
Due to a significant rise in his sprint pace from 2024 to 2025, Ward arrived in camp in better shape. Despite a few periods of streaky play, he is still a deadly and prolific hitter. It’s not like the Angels have a lot of outfield prospects in the works, and he is currently an underappreciated defensive outfielder.
He doesn’t seem like the kind of player who would want to leave Anaheim, and even after switching from catching to outfield patrolling throughout the years, he still shows growth. Perry, lock him up.
Angels Announce Major Injury News Amid Mike Trout’s Slow Start
In light of Mike Trout’s problems, we hope the Los Angeles Angels weren’t counting on Yoán Moncada to lead the lineup. Due to a sprained right thumb, Moncada, who has already started seven games at third base, was placed on the 15-day injured list by the Angels. After hitting out in his only at-bat during Wednesday’s 5-4 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays, Moncada, who turns 30 next month, departed the game.
Despite Trout and Moncada’s poor play, the Angels have won seven of their first eleven games. Even though Trout is fortunately healthy, he only hit.179 with three home runs, eight RBI, and a.756 OPS across 50 plate appearances going into Thursday’s series finale against the Rays.
After his first trip on the injured list while wearing an Angels uniform, Moncada will likely recover his rhythm at the plate. After playing for the Chicago White Sox for over ten years, the former top prospect joined the Angels this offseason.
With a.190 average and four RBI in 27 plate appearances, Moncada was placed on the disabled list. He has, however, demonstrated impressive plate discipline, walking six times while striking out eight. Given that Moncada recorded 232 strikeouts and 56 walks in 835 plate appearances from 2022–2024, we’ll go with those stats.
On Thursday, Luis Rengifo was selected to start at third base against the Rays. Until Moncada returns, former New York Mets infielder J.D. Davis is also expected to get action at the hot corner.
