The Los Angeles Angels are an interesting team to watch going into the 2026 MLB season.
Yes, they still have superstar Mike Trout, but the playoff drought has been looming over the Angels for quite some time.
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At the MLB Winter Meetings, the Angels didn’t do a ton, although they did acquire infielder Vaughn Grissom in a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Before that, they had acquired Grayson Rodriguez in a deal with the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Taylor Ward, and they signed pitcher Alek Manoah to a one-year deal in what could be a nice move if he turns things around.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report had new MLB Power Rankings after the Winter Meetings, and the Angels are at No. 26.
“The Angels have added some high-upside lottery tickets in Grayson Rodriguez, Vaughn Grissom and Alek Manoah, but they still have a hole to plug in the outfield after trading away Taylor Ward and need further help in both the starting rotation and the bullpen. It feels like there is still at least one splashy, multi-year signing coming this winter.”
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The four teams the Angels are ahead of, in order, are the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals, Chicago White Sox and Colorado Rockies.
But, the acquisition of Grissom was a surprising one, and perhaps one that could work out for the Angels,
After the trade, Grissom acknowledged he is ready for a fresh start.
“As much as I wanted it to work out in Boston, it just wasn’t the reality. And I’m happy for my opportunity with the Angels,” he said. “I learned a lot, which was cool. I learned a lot about myself. But I’m definitely happy to be on my way to the Angels.”
It’s a start, and at the very least, the activity by the Angels front office is some sort of hope for a fan base desperate to get back to the postseason.