LAS VEGAS \u2014 The Angels\u2019 quest for offensive upgrades this winter is somewhat complicated by the fact that there are few realistic, attractive left-handed hitting options.<\/p>\n
First baseman Nolan Schanuel was the only player to give the Angels consistent production from the left side of the plate in 2025. The Angels had the second most right-on-right plate appearances in the majors last season, which played a role in their high strikeout rate.<\/p>\n
General Manager Perry Minasian, obviously hoping to keep his options open, said adding left-handed hitters is a preference, but not a necessity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that the No. 1 pressing need? Is that \u2018A\u2019 on the check list of things to do? No,\u201d Minasian said at MLB\u2019s annual GM Meetings. \u201cBut it is something we\u2019ve talked about a ton. We want to be a more balanced offense.\u201d<\/p>\n
The three best free agent hitters \u2013 designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and outfielders Kyle Tucker and Cody Bellinger \u2013 are all left-handed hitters. All of those players figure to be out of the Angels\u2019 price range, though.<\/p>\n
After that, the next best free agent lefty is center fielder Trent Grisham. He could be a perfect fit, because he can also play center field, but even he might prove to be too expensive. Grisham also received a Qualifying Offer from the New York Yankees, which adds a draft pick to the cost associated with signing him.<\/p>\n
Other left-handed free agents who could fit the Angels\u2019 positional preference \u2013 center field or third base \u2013 include outfielder Cedric Mullins and infielder Adam Frazier. Mullins and Frazier were both below-average hitters in 2025. They could trade for St. Louis Cardinals infielder Nolan Gorman, another below-average hitter last season.<\/p>\n
(Cardinals infielder Brendan Donovan is a much more attractive left-handed bat who is available via trade, but he\u2019s better suited to play second base, and the Angels don\u2019t want to block Christian Moore.)<\/p>\n
Getting a left-handed hitting upgrade won\u2019t be easy, which is why Minasian is not limiting himself.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou\u2019re not just going to take a left-handed hitter because he\u2019s left-handed, if you don\u2019t believe they can hit,\u201d Minasian said. \u201cThat\u2019s the catch, right? It\u2019s not just left-handed. It\u2019s who\u2019s left-handed and productive. \u2026<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are some really attractive right-handed hitters that I\u2019d love to have, that are just good hitters, that I don\u2019t necessarily think anyone cares if they\u2019re right-handed or left-handed. So does it have to be left-handed? No. Apples to apples? Of course, you choose left hand over right-handed.\u201d<\/p>\n
MORE COACHES<\/p>\n
The Angels finalized deals with three more coaches, including bringing former catcher Max Stassi back as the catching coach.<\/p>\n
They will also promote Triple-A manager Keith Johnson to be the third base coach and Double-A manager Andy Schatzley to be the infield coach.<\/p>\n
Manager Kurt Suzuki\u2019s staff now includes six coaches, as those three join bench coach John Gibbons<\/a>, pitching coach Mike Maddux<\/a> and first base and outfield coach Adam Eaton.<\/p>\n The Angels still need to find one or two more pitching coaches, at least one of whom will be the bullpen coach, and at least two hitting coaches. The next hire is likely to be their lead hitting coach.<\/p>\n Stassi last played in the majors with the Angels in 2022, and he spent the past three years in the minors or rehabbing from injuries. Stassi missed the 2023 season because of a hip injury, but also because he and his wife were dealing with the significant health issues of their prematurely born son<\/a>.<\/p>\n