The Los Angeles Angels had a historically bad 2025 season from the plate, striking out 1,627 times last year, enough for the second most in the history of baseball. The Halos also ranked dead last in the MLB in batting average at just .225.
It’s safe to say the Angels’ lineup needs some improvement in 2026 if the club wants to get back to winning ways for the first time in over a decade. With general manager Perry Minasian and new manager Kurt Suzuki under contract for just this next season, both will be motivated to win ball games in 2026.
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To win more games than last season, 72, the Angels need to address their lineup issues. After a season of being a home run or bust team, it’s clear that the strategy isn’t working in Anaheim. The Angels have already traded one of their best bats in Taylor Ward, to the Baltimore Orioles for right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez.
With the emphasis on power-hitting seemingly being phased out under Suzuki’s management, the Angels should pursue a proven contact-hitting infielder in free agency. Luis Arraez is exactly that, and he’s one of baseball’s best at doing it. A three-time batting champion, Arraez enters free agency at just 28 years old.
He’s spent the last season and a half with the San Diego Padres, batting .304 during his time with the fellow SoCal team. Though he’s seen some regression in his numbers over the last couple of seasons, Arraez is just a couple of seasons removed from a Silver Slugger-winning, .354 average season in 2023.
The Angels could certainly benefit from Arraez’s ability to make contact. In 2025, the Halos’ batting average leader was first baseman Nolan Schanuel at .264. For that number to be the team’s highest, it’s a sign that there are serious contact issues in the lineup. Arraez would immediately become the team’s leader in the category.
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The value of getting on base can’t be overstated. Providing players like Mike Trout, Zach Neto, or Jo Adell with a runner on base when they step up to the plate greatly improves the chance of scoring a run. The Angels saw far too many moments with zero runners on base last season, limiting their ability to score runs unless it came from a home run. Arraez is the perfect player to address such a need.
Though he played the majority of last season at first base, Arraez has played more career games at second base than at any other position. With a flaring hole at the second base position, the Halos could fix two areas of need with one signing.
Because Arraez didn’t have his greatest campaign in 2025, it could mean the Angels have a better chance at signing the seven-year veteran as he attempts to rebuild his value and prove his worth to a contending team. Even if the Angels serve just as a stepping stone for Arraez, they’d still be benefiting themselves with his addition to the lineup in Anaheim.