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Tag: Los Angeles Angels

  • Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe brings fresh approach to 2026

    TEMPE, Ariz. — Logan O’Hoppe drove himself crazy at times during a forgettable 2025 season.

    O’Hoppe, who has been considered among the Angels’ promising young core of players, was often a mess at the plate and behind it.

    The catcher finished the season with a .213 average, .629 OPS and 19 homers, only two of which came in the second half.

    Now, the 26-year-old is starting fresh, at the end of what he described as a winter of education about himself.

    “I learned a lot about my swing,” O’Hoppe said Thursday. “I really got back to doing what I did in high school, really when I felt most comfortable in the box. It’s exciting. I feel like I’m not only moving better, but understanding what I need to do every day to get everything in the right place instead of just going to the cage with a certain cue that day and hoping it works when 6:30 comes.”

    O’Hoppe said one of the other lessons of the winter was that his workouts needed to be restructured, to build toward a game.

    “Making sure I wasn’t cooking myself too early in the day,” O’Hoppe said. “Not having too heavy a workload early and then sitting around and doing nothing, and then going back for another heavy workload. That took a lot out of me.”

    All of that may sound the typical spring training talk from a player looking to rebound from a disappointing season.

    Everyone is optimistic in February. It remains to be seen what will happen when the season begins.

    “I think he’s going to have a great year,” general manager Perry Minasian said. “I’m bullish on Logan. I think obviously he struggled last year. We all know that. It’s tough, young player, especially at that position. You see a lot of catchers hit their stride in their mid-20s. It takes a little time. There’s a lot of responsibility at that position. Game calling, preparation, all those types of things. Knowing the man, he’s somebody that puts a lot on himself. He has high expectations, and he’s had an outstanding offseason mentally and physically. I’m very, very excited to see how he helps us win games this year.”

    The Angels still view O’Hoppe as a key piece to their long-term plan. A young catcher who can hit in the middle of the order is a valuable asset for any team.

    O’Hoppe certainly seemed to be on his way to filling that role when he hit 14 homers with a .796 OPS in just 51 big-league games in 2023. That season was interrupted in the middle by shoulder surgery.

    He’s since played two full seasons, and his performance has gone the wrong way. In 2024, he produced a .712 OPS that included a significant slump in the final two months.

    Last season, the slump started in June.

    As the Angels try to get more out of O’Hoppe, they’ve surrounded him with players who can guide him toward being an effective catcher and leader. Former catcher Kurt Suzuki is the new manager, and former catcher Max Stassi is the catching coach. The Angels also still have veteran Travis d’Arnaud as O’Hoppe’s backup.

    O’Hoppe said having Suzuki as the manager is “awesome.” Suzuki had been a special assistant to the GM for the past three years, so he still had some contact with O’Hoppe.

    “It’s just nice to walk around and have him here, to be with him day in and day out,” O’Hoppe said. “He was here the past couple years, but not to the extent that he is now. I’m happy that we got him every day.”

    Suzuki said O’Hoppe is “doing a great job” of building trust with the pitchers and becoming the leader the Angels expect.

    “It’s not always about your stats defensively,” Suzuki said. “It’s about how you communicate with pitchers, how you make them feel on the mound, when they’re not feeling the greatest can you get them through those games, right? That’s where I always felt like the money came from: getting the pitchers through a game when they didn’t have their best stuff, which is a lot.

    “People aren’t going to feel great all the time. Getting the pitchers through a game when they’re having a tough time, working together, that’s what brings a lot of joy to catchers.”

    CUTTING K’S

    The Angels’ batters led the majors in strikeouts in 2025, so reducing that number is one of the jobs for new hitting coach Brady Anderson. Suzuki said Anderson is already “putting some things together” with regard to an improved approach for the hitters.

    “It’s a mindset,” Suzuki said. “When we played, when Brady played and when I played, there was a mindset of not striking out, battling. Taking what the pitcher gives you. These guys are a hundred times more talented than I was. The stuff they do on the field is special. I think Brady’s working with them mentality wise and having the right mentality to go up there and work on those things.”

    NOTES

    Outfielder José Siri completed his physical and was in camp Thursday. Siri signed a minor-league deal. …

    Suzuki has been watching the first couple days of bullpen sessions from behind the catchers, which is unusual for a manager. It’s a comfortable spot for Suzuki, though. “I kind of lived back there in that squat,” Suzuki said. “I just like to see or feel the ball coming into the catcher. What it sounds like. What it looks like. The ball was coming out really good from everybody.”

    Jeff Fletcher

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  • Framber Valdez projected to sign with desperate AL club instead of Mets

    Houston Astros ace Framber Valdez is one of the top players left in free agency, as of Wednesday, and he seems to have plenty of suitors.

    The New York Mets make a lot of sense as a landing spot for the lefty. He would immediately slot in as the team’s best pitcher going forward. The Mets have the money to build up the pitching staff after the unit struggled last season. It would be the perfect addition in Queens.

    But Will Laws and Nick Selbe of Sports Illustrated predicted the lefty would sign a deal with the Los Angeles Angels in free agency this winter.

    “Valdez is one of the majors’ most durable, consistent pitchers; he and Giants ace Logan Webb are the only two hurlers to complete at least 175 innings while recording an ERA under 3.70 in each of the last four seasons,” Laws and Selbe wrote. “The worm-burning lefty also has three top-10 Cy Young finishes, a no-hitter and a World Series-clinching win under his belt from his time with the Astros.

    “Valdez would step in as a top-tier No. 2 pitcher on just about any pitching staff, and the fact he doesn’t rely on elite velocity likely means he’d age well over the course of a five-year contract. The Angels, who recently agreed to a buyout with Anthony Rendon and reached a settlement in the Tyler Skaggs wrongful death lawsuit, have the payroll space for a big move to get them closer to contention.”

    Adding Valdez makes perfect sense for the Angels. They’re seemingly desperate to add to their roster in the coming weeks, as they’re trying to contend again next season.

    Adding Valdez to a struggling pitching staff would work wonders in pushing the Angels in the right direction. This move would give them a pitcher who can go toe to toe with any opposing ace in the league.

    It’s hard to imagine the Angels outbidding the Mets in a sweepstakes like this, but don’t count them out yet.

    More MLB: Phillies Gold Glover Predicted To Sign 2-Year, $30M Deal After Huge Season

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  • Widow of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs shares emotional testimony in civil trial

    The widow of Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs testified in court Monday about the morning in 2019 when she received a call from the team’s general manager.

    Carli Skaggs said she was unsettled when her husband did not reply after she sent several text messages. The call from the team’s general manager came the following morning — Tyler had been found unresponsive in a hotel room during a road trip in Texas.

    Skaggs had died at age 27. A coroner’s report said Skaggs choked to death on his vomit and a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone was found in his system.

    Carli Skaggs emotional testimony recounting their love story came in the sixth week of a civil trial for a wrongful-death lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ family. Angels’ communication director Eric Kay was convicted of providing a fentanyl-laced pill that led to the death of Skaggs. He was later sentenced to 22 years in federal prison.

    Family members contend in the lawsuit that the Angels should be held responsible for letting a drug-addicted and dealing employee stay on the job and access its players. The Angels say team officials did not know Skaggs was taking drugs and that any drug activity involving him and Kay happened on their own time and in the privacy of the player’s hotel room.

    On the stand for the first time in the trial, Carli Skaggs said she and Tyler — they married in 2018 — smoked marijuana, but that she was not aware of his other drug use.

    The couple had just bought a house together and were working with an architect to design a home where they could raise a family.

    Skaggs had been a regular in the Angels’ starting rotation since late 2016 and struggled with injuries repeatedly during that time. He previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

    Skaggs’ family is seeking $118 million in lost earnings, compensation for pain and suffering and punitive damages against the team.

    After Skaggs’ death, the MLB reached a deal with the players association to start testing for opioids and to refer those who test positive to the treatment board.

    The trial is expected to take weeks and has included testimony from Angels outfielder Mike Trout and Kay’s ex-wife.

    Jonathan Lloyd and Hetty Chang

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  • Ohtani is unanimous MVP for 4th time in winning NL honor as Judge edges Raleigh for 3rd AL accolade

    Shohei Ohtani likes winning Most Valuable Player awards. He loves winning the World Series even more.

    The two-way Japanese star did both for a second season in a row for the Los Angeles Dodgers, earning his fourth career MVP on Thursday night while unanimously earning the National League honor. He’s just the second to win four MVPs after Barry Bonds with seven and the only player to win unanimously more than once.

    Considering Ohtani is 31, overtaking Bonds doesn’t seem out of the question. Especially if it leads to more Fall Classic opportunities.

    “If I’m playing well as an individual that means I’m helping the team win, so in that sense, hopefully I can end up with a couple more MVPs,” Ohtani said through an interpreter. “But at the end of the day, it’s all about winning games.”

    In the American League, Aaron Judge became the New York Yankees’ fourth three-time winner, edging Seattle’s Cal Raleigh with 17 first-place votes to 13 for the switch-hitting catcher. The vote was the closest for an MVP since the Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout topped Houston’s Alex Bregman by 17-13 in 2019.

    Judge, who won the AL award in 2022 and 2024, joined Joe DiMaggio, Yogi Berra and Mickey Mantle as three-time MVPs with the Yankees. The 33-year-old outfielder led the majors with a .331 batting average and 1.144 OPS while hitting 53 homers.

    When asked about his place in MLB and Yankees lore, Judge acknowledged he’s in rare company.

    “It’s tough for me to wrap my head around,” Judge said. “It’s mind blowing from my side of things, because I play this game to win, I play this game for my teammates, my family, all the fans in New York.”

    Later he added: “You’ve got to pinch yourself every single day. It’s truly an incredible honor.”

    Ohtani won a MVP for the third straight year, his second in the NL with the Dodgers after two in the AL with the Angels. He became the first to win in each league twice after getting the AL honor in 2021 and 2023. Ohtani signed with the crosstown Dodgers the following offseason and won NL MVP in 2024 during his first season in Chavez Ravine. He’s also won the World Series in both his seasons with the Dodgers.

    Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber finished second in the NL with 23 second-place votes and New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto was third with four.

    Ohtani hit .282 and led the NL with a 1.014 OPS. He also had 55 homers, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases.

    The right-hander returned to pitching in June after missing 1 1/2 seasons on the mound because of an elbow injury. He struck out 62 batters over 47 innings, slowly increasing his workload while preparing for the postseason.

    Ohtani continued to shine in October with arguably the greatest single game in MLB history. He hit three homers while striking out 10 over six dominant innings on Oct. 17, leading the Dodgers over Milwaukee to finish an NL Championship Series sweep.

    Schwarber, who earned a $50,000 bonus for finishing second, hit an NL-best 56 homers and led the big leagues with 132 RBIs for Philadelphia.

    Soto overcame a slow start to the season to have his typically stellar offensive output. The four-time All-Star — who signed a $765 million, 15-year deal last December — had 43 homers, 105 RBIs and an NL-best 38 stolen bases. He received a $150,000 bonus for finishing third in the MVP voting.

    Judge is the first AL player to win back-to-back MVPs since Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera it in 2012 and 2013.

    Raleigh, nicknamed “Big Dumper,” led the big leagues with 60 homers, the most for a player primarily a catcher. He started 119 games behind the plate and another 38 at designated hitter.

    The 28-year-old also had a career-high 125 RBIs, leading the Mariners to one of their best seasons in franchise history. Judge said he got to know Raleigh a little during the All-Star break and the catcher asked for some leadership tips.

    “Cal’s a special player,” Judge said. “I could sit here and talk all night about the player he is, but really the kind of leader and person he is really stuck out to me at the All-Star Game.”

    Cleveland’s José Ramírez finished third in the AL.

    Arizona’s Geraldo Perdomo was fourth in the NL voting, earning him $2.5 million annual salary increases in 2028 and 2029 along with the price of Arizona’s 2030 club option.

    ___

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

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  • Shohei Ohtani’s 4th MVP award sparks celebrations in Japan

    TOKYO (AP) — It’s become an annual ritual: Shohei Ohtani wins a Most Valuable Player award and Japan celebrates with newspaper extra editions handed out at a major train station.

    The two-way Japanese star claimed his fourth career MVP award on Thursday night, and on Friday morning in Tokyo — the Japanese capital is 14 hours ahead of the American east coast — the extras hit the streets.

    A congratulatory message came in immediately from the top of the government and from down on the sidewalk.

    “Ohtani’s constant effort and dedication contributed significantly to the team’s victory and boosted team morale,” Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said.

    This is an understatement.

    Ohtani led the Los Angeles Dodgers to their second straight World Series title, earning him a second consecutive National League MVP award. He also won the award in the American League in 2023 — and in 2021 — playing for the Los Angeles Angels.

    All the MVP awards have been unanimous.

    Ohtani hit .282 and led the NL with a 1.014 OPS. He also had 55 home runs, 102 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. He retuned to the mound in June after missing 1 1/2 seasons as a pitcher because of an elbow injury. He struck out 62 batters in 47 innings.

    In the postseason he had arguably the greatest single game in MLB history. He hit three home runs while striking out 10 over six innings on Oct. 17, leading the Dodgers over the Milwaukee Brewers to win the NL Championship Series in four straight games.

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    “Winning the MVP was considered a certainty, so the real question was whether he would receive a unanimous vote,” said a fan who identified himself only as Aki, a nickname. “In the end he did, securing the MVP unanimously.”

    Another Dodgers fan Yoshio Inoue said he was looking forward to seeing Ohtani play for Japan in Tokyo in next year’s World Baseball Classic.

    “I’d love to see Ohtani return to Tokyo, kick off the season there, and hopefully win his fifth MVP award,” Inoue said.

    The headline in the Asahi newspaper read simply: “Othani MVP.”

    “The television always shows Ohtani so I watch him too,” said fan Mai Koga. “He is such a great man and truly a pride of Japan.”

    —-

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

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  • Angels’ Mike Trout testifies he never saw signs of drug use from late teammate Tyler Skaggs

    Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout testified Tuesday that he loved his teammate Tyler Skaggs like a brother and never saw signs of drug use before he died of an overdose on a team trip to Texas in 2019.

    Trout, a three-time American League Most Valuable Player who hit his 400th career home run this year, took the stand in a civil trial in Southern California over whether the Angels should be held responsible for its former communication director, Eric Kay, giving Skaggs a fentanyl-laced pill that led to his death.

    Trout, who acknowledged he didn’t like speaking in public, told the courtroom about his friendship with Skaggs from the time they roomed together as rookies in Iowa and through playing for the Angels. Both were drafted out of high school as teens in 2009 — Trout from New Jersey, and Skaggs from California.

    Skaggs was “very funny, outgoing, fun to be around” and toted around a boom box as the team’s deejay, Trout said.

    Trout also said the two spent time together off the field, including going to Los Angeles Lakers games together, as Skaggs “loved the Lakers.” The two would also play basketball together and Trout admitted, “He had a better jump shot than me.”

    Trout also said Kay was good at his job, getting players to give interviews and guiding them on which questions they might be asked. At one point, however, Trout said a clubhouse attendant suggested the players should stop paying Kay for stunts he was pulling, like taking a fastball to the leg, shaving off his eyebrows and eating a pimple off Trout’s back — “not proud of that one,” Trout said — due to concerns the money might be used for a “bad purpose.”

    Trout said he had seen Kay acting “wired” and sweating and “the first thing that came to mind was drugs.”

    He said it was clear he was “using something.”

    “I just didn’t know what it was,” Trout told the court, adding he approached Kay and told him if he needed anything to let him know.

    Trout said when Skaggs died, he didn’t know he had been on drugs and that drugs being the cause of his teammate’s death “didn’t enter my mind.” He said he was unaware other players had also been using drugs, other than marijuana, and that he did not realize Kay was allegedly supplying his teammates with opioids.

    The testimony came at the trial for a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Skaggs’ wife, Carli, and his parents, who contend the Angels made a series of reckless decisions that gave Kay access to MLB players when he was addicted to drugs and dealing them. The team has countered that Skaggs was also drinking heavily and his actions occurred on his own time and in the privacy of his hotel room when he died.

    The trial comes more than six years after 27-year-old Skaggs was found dead in the suburban Dallas hotel room where he was staying as the Angels were supposed to open a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. A coroner’s report says Skaggs choked to death on his vomit and that a toxic mix of alcohol, fentanyl and oxycodone was found in his system.

    Kay was convicted in 2022 of providing Skaggs with a counterfeit oxycodone pill laced with fentanyl and sentenced to 22 years in federal prison. His federal criminal trial in Texas included testimony from five MLB players who said they received oxycodone from Kay at various times from 2017 to 2019, the years he was accused of obtaining pills and giving them to Angels players.

    The family is seeking $118 million for Skaggs’ lost earnings, compensation for pain and suffering and punitive damages against the team.

    Skaggs had been a regular in the Angels’ starting rotation since late 2016 and struggled with injuries repeatedly during that time. He previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

    During Kay’s criminal trial, Carli Skaggs testified that she was unaware of the extent of her husband’s drug use and that she would have tried to do more to stop it had she known. She also testified that her husband felt pressure to stay healthy so he could continue his professional career.

    Former pitcher Matt Harvey, one of the players who testified during the trial, said in court, “In baseball, you do everything you can to stay on the field. At the time, I felt as a teammate I was just helping him get through whatever he needed to get through.”

    After Skaggs’ death, MLB reached a deal with the MLB Players Association to start testing for opioids and to refer those who test positive to the treatment board.

    “A death of a major league player, it is a devastating event,” MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said when announcing the policy, adding that “it was a motivating factor in the commissioner’s office and the MLBPA and addressing in the context of our industry what really is a societal problem.”

    In addition to Trout, other players, including former Angels pitcher Wade Miley, who currently plays for the Cincinnati Reds, could also testify in what is expected to be a weekslong trial in Santa Ana, California.

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  • Angels’ Mike Trout testifies in Tyler Skaggs wrongful death trial

    Los Angeles Angels outfielder Mike Trout testified in court that he had no knowledge of his longtime friend, Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs, using drugs besides marijuana and alcohol, but he did have suspicions about the man convicted in Skaggs’ death. Elise Preston has the latest on the wrongful death trial.

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  • Angels show better record, but progress remains in question

    ANAHEIM — As the Angels limp to the end of the season, the positive spin will undoubtedly be to point to their improvement over last year.

    The Angels, who were 72-88 heading into the penultimate game of the season on Saturday night, are guaranteed to win at least nine more games than when they were 63-99 in 2024.

    That is misleading, though.

    “If we said we’re nine or 10 games better, we shouldn’t use that as the benchmark, because wins and losses that we’re judging right now aren’t the ultimate decider of that,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said.

    While the record is obviously the ultimate metric that determines whether you make the playoffs or not, for all the teams that don’t make the playoffs, there are other ways to evaluate how good a team is and how much better it needs to be.

    The Angels came into Saturday’s game with a run differential of minus-155, which is 45 runs worse than the second-worst team in the American League. In the National League, the only worse teams are the Colorado Rockies (minus-420) and Washington Nationals (minus-204).

    In 2024, the Angels’ run differential was minus-162.

    This year’s team won more games primarily because of a 28-21 record in one-run games. Last year, the Angels were 22-26 in one-run games.

    The overall OPS improved from .671 to .698, but the ERA slipped from 4.57 to 4.87. The strikeout rate for the hitters got worse, from 24% to 27%, while the walk rate stayed the same. For the pitchers, the strikeout and walk rates both remained almost the same.

    Before Friday’s game, Montgomery acknowledged the flaws, without discounting that they are improving. He also said a rash of injuries late in the season has contributed to their September slide.

    “It depends on where you’re looking for the progress,” Montgomery said. “The wins and losses are a little bit better. I don’t want to discount that. Winning 70 or winning 72 doesn’t feel like it’s progress in any way. But coming off of last year and where we’re trying to get to, I think you could look at some of the health and wellness and rosters we’ve been putting out at different times.”

    The Angels have indeed limped to the end with an injury-ravaged roster. Shortstop Zach Neto missed the last three weeks. First baseman Nolan Schanuel missed about a month. Relievers Reid Detmers and Robert Stephenson were gone at the end. Starters Tyler Anderson and José Soriano also didn’t make it through the end of the season.

    “The disappointing thing is that it’s not getting to the finish line necessarily the way we would have liked,” Montgomery said, “with a chance to be in some environments and play against some teams that are going to the postseason.”

    On the bright side, Montgomery said the Angels saw a core of players further establish themselves.

    “There’s a tangible core,” Montgomery said. “You can say, if we build around this core and we add to it with the right type of players, and certainly you have to have depth to the ends of the earth, I think there’s a good chance that this team is a lot better position a year from now.”

    SILSETH’S PERFORMANCE

    Right-hander Chase Silseth, who was on the injured list in the minors for much of the season, has helped put himself back on the radar with his performance since he’s been back in the majors.

    Silseth has a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings, with 13 strikeouts. On Friday night, he pitched a perfect inning, with two strikeouts. The Houston Astros whiffed on six of their 10 swings against him, including four of five against his sweeper.

    “I think last night was pretty indicative of the best we’ve seen of him,” Montgomery said.

    Silseth, 25, still could factor into the Angels’ rotation plans, although the bullpen seems more likely. He’ll be out of options next season.

    NOTES

    The Angels placed right-hander Luis Garcia on the injured list because of an oblique strain. They recalled left-hander Sammy Peralta. …

    Catcher Travis d’Arnaud (concussion) has shown significant improvement this week. “He took some swings in the age,” Montgomery said. “He’s moving a lot better. He’s feeling a lot better.” D’Arnaud, who has been diagnosed with five concussions, in his career, is not permitted to speak to the media while he’s on the concussion list. Montgomery said he’s heard nothing from d’Arnaud suggesting that the latest concussion would impact d’Arnaud’s future. D’Arnaud, 36, is signed through next season. …

    The season finale on Sunday will start at 12:07 p.m., which is about an hour earlier than normal. Major League Baseball schedules all the games to start at roughly the same time on the final day so no team gets a competitive advantage in games that have an impact on the final standings.

    UP NEXT

    Astros (TBD) at Angels (LHP Sam Aldegheri, 0-1, 8.00), Sunday, 12:07 p.m., FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM

    Jeff Fletcher

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  • Angels’ losing streak reaches 7 games after sweep in Milwaukee

    MILWAUKEE — Just when it looked like things were finally braking in the Angels’ favor, well … they didn’t and now their losing streak has reached a season-high seven games after falling to the Milwaukee Brewers, 5-2, on Thursday night at American Family Field.

    Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi provided much-needed length and held the National League-leading Brewers to just two runs despite giving up five hits and three walks over 5⅔ innings. After Milwaukee right-hander Quinn Priester struck out nine over four perfect innings, Luis Rengifo’s two-run homer in the fifth gave the Angels their first lead of the series.

    The good vibes didn’t last long, though.

    The Angels put two runners on with one out in the sixth only to come up empty, then the Brewers cashed in during the bottom of the inning, tying the score at 2-all when Christian Yelich singled and scored on Caleb Durbin’s two-out single off Jose Fermin.

    The Angels put two more on in the seventh, again with one out, against Brewers lefty Aaron Ashby (4-2) but once again failed to capitalize only for Milwaukee to break the game open in its half of the seventh with three runs against Luis Garcia (2-6).

    Mike Trout led off the eighth with his second single of the day and moved to third when Jo Adell reached on an error by Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn but walked back to the dugout empty-handed once more after Abner Uribe struck out Rengifo and pinch-hitter Yoan Moncada to end the inning.

    The hits were Trout’s first since last Saturday, when he reached on an eighth-inning single in Seattle. Arriving in Milwaukee with 399 career home runs, Trout went 0 for 7 with a walk and five strikeouts in the first two games of the series then struck out and grounded out his first two times up Thursday.

    The Angels (69-84) were swept for the 10th time this season and they were swept in Milwaukee for the first time since May 9-11, 1997 when both teams played in the American League.

    With the victory, the Brewers (94-59) have won five of their last six games overall and combined with the Chicago Cubs’ loss to the Cincinnati Reds, have a magic number of four to clinch the NL Central division title for a third consecutive year.

    More to come on this story.

    Andrew Wagner

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  • Short-handed Angels lose to Mariners

    SEATTLE — With a patchwork lineup and a bullpen running on fumes, it took a solid effort from the Angels to even be competitive on Friday night.

    Despite so much being stacked against them, the Angels had a shot to win before dropping a 2-1 decision to the Seattle Mariners.

    The Angels had only four players from their Opening Day roster in the starting lineup. The bullpen was spent after back-to-back four-inning outings from their starters.

    That left right-hander Connor Brogdon – fresh off the plane from Salt Lake – on the mound when the Mariners scored the go-ahead run in the seventh inning.

    Brogdon gave up a homer to Mitch Garver just after the Angels had tied the score in the top of the inning.

    The Angels (69-79) didn’t mount much of an offense all night, which was to be expected.

    First baseman Nolan Schanuel and catcher Logan O’Hoppe were on the injured list before the Angels got to Seattle. Shortstop Zach Neto and outfielder Jo Adell were both unavailable to start on Friday night. Neto has a sore wrist and Adell is getting over a bout with vertigo. Adell struck out as a pinch-hitter in the seventh.

    The only players from the Opening Day lineup who started on Friday were Mike Trout, Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo. Yoán Moncada, who came off the bench on Opening Day, was also in the lineup.

    The lineup didn’t even produce any hard contact against Seattle starter Luis Castillo for most of the night. Bryce Teodosio and Chris Taylor had the only two hits in the first six innings.

    In the sixth inning, Taylor singled and took second on an error and then Moncada walked. Both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, giving the Angels their best shot at a rally. Ward hit a hard line drive that was snagged by right fielder Victor Robles, ending the inning.

    The Angels finally got on the board after Castillo was out of the game. Rengifo led off the seventh with a single, and he went to second on a wild pitch. Logan Davidson doubled down the right field line to knock him in with the game-tying run.

    Adell then struck out. After Teodosio was hit by a pitch, Trout came to the plate with a chance to put the Angels on top, and he struck out.

    Despite the modest offense, the Angels had a chance because starter Yusei Kikuchi delivered.

    Kikuchi gave up just one run in six innings. He allowed four hits and walked one. After allowing a run in the fourth, he retired seven of the last eight batters he faced.

    It was a significant improvement for Kikuchi, who had a 13.89 ERA in his previous three games and an 8.78 ERA in his previous six.

    More to come on this story.

    Jeff Fletcher

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  • Angels drop series finale to Royals on Bobby Witt Jr.’s late homer

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Angels flirted with a series sweep to cap their 10-game road trip, but they were denied by a clutch swing from an All-Star.

    Bobby Witt Jr. hit a two-out solo home run in the eighth inning and the Kansas City Royals rallied to beat the Angels, 4-3, on Thursday night.

    The Royals hit four solo homers in a game in which all seven runs came via home runs.

    Lucas Erceg (7-4) struck out two in one inning and Carlos Estévez picked up his major league-best 37th save.

    Angels starter Kyle Hendricks allowed two runs on three hits in six innings, while Kansas City starter Noah Cameron allowed three runs on five hits in five innings.

    The Angels got on the scoreboard in the first inning on a three-run homer by Luis Rengifo. With two outs, Taylor Ward singled, Jo Adell walked and Rengifo hit a slider 384 feet down the left-field line.

    The Royals answered in the second on Adam Frazier’s home run, the 1,000th hit of his MLB career. Vinnie Pasquantino connected on his 29th home run of the season leading off the fourth inning to trim the deficit to 3-2.

    The Royals tied it when Salvador Perez hit his 24th home run of the season, leading off the seventh inning.

    Erceg retired the Angels in order in the eighth to set the stage for Witt’s go-ahead blast off of Ryan Zeferjahn (6-5) in the bottom of the inning.

    UP NEXT

    Athletics (RHP Mason Barnett, 0-1, 11.25 ERA) at Angels (RHP José Soriano, 10-9, 3.68 ERA), Friday, 6:38 p.m., FDSN West, 830 AM

    Staff and news service reports

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  • Jo Adell propels Angels past Royals again

    KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jo Adell was a one-man gang for the Angels.

    Adell homered and drove in every run for the Angels in their 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night. He hit a go-ahead homer in the sixth inning for the second consecutive game, his three-run shot to center field on the first pitch he saw from reliever John Schreiber giving the Angels a 3-2 lead in this one.

    Yoán Moncada, aboard on a single when Adell went deep, doubled off Lucas Erceg (6-4) in the eighth before scoring when Adell hit a soft dribbler to the left side of the infield for a 4-3 advantage. Adell, whose 33 home runs and 90 RBIs are career highs, clubbed a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth inning of a 5-1 victory on Tuesday.

    Kyle Isbel was on second base in the eighth on Wednesday when Angels reliever Andrew Chafin struck out Bobby Witt Jr. for the second out. Chafin then fanned Vinnie Pasquantino in a 12-pitch duel to maintain the one-run lead.

    Reid Detmers struck out two in the ninth for his third save.

    Angels star Mike Trout sat out again after getting scratched from the lineup Tuesday night because of a skin infection on his left arm.

    Caden Dana, recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake to start for the Angels, allowed two runs (one earned) on two hits and a walk while striking out four over five innings.

    Dana, making his first start this season and the fourth of his career, retired the first six batters he faced. In the third, he allowed a bloop single to Michael Massey and walked Jac Caglianone. Isbel then laid down a bunt that Angels first baseman Oswald Peraza fielded, but he threw wildly to Luis Rengifo covering the bag, allowing the game’s first run. Caglianone scored on Mike Yastrzemski’s sacrifice fly for a 2-0 Royals lead.

    Royals rookie Ryan Bergert allowed just one run on one hit and three walks while striking out six over five innings. He left with a 2-0 lead after issuing a leadoff walk to Zach Neto in the sixth. Schreiber came on and allowed an infield hit to Moncada but struck out Taylor Ward. However, Adell followed with his go-ahead blast.

    The Royals answered in the bottom of the seventh, as Salvador Perez and Adam Frazier hit back-to-back doubles off Angels relieved Robert Stephenson (1-0) to tie the score at 3-all.

    With the back-to-back wins, the Angels (66-73) secured their first winning road series since July 18-20 and improved to 5-4 on their 10-game trip.

    Kansas City (70-69) has lost three in a row and seven of 11.

    UP NEXT

    Angels (RHP Kyle Hendricks, 6-9, 4.89 ERA) at Royals (LHP Noah Cameron, 7-6, 2.92), Thursday, 4:40 p.m. PT, FDSN West, 830 AM

    Staff and news service reports

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  • Angels’ Taylor Ward grateful for only minor injuries after fence collision

    HOUSTON — Taylor Ward was back in the Angels clubhouse on Monday, with a long cut above his right eye and a feeling of relief that nothing worse happened.

    Ward said the cut required about 20 stitches, including repairing a blood vessel and a muscle, but there was no damage to his eye and he did not suffer a concussion. He said he’s hoping to play again in the coming days.

    “Way better,” Ward said when asked how he was feeling. “I slept well last night and woke up with no headache or anything like that. Very lucky.”

    Ward crashed face-first into the metal out-of-town scoreboard on the left field fence at Houston’s Daikin Park on Sunday. He was bleeding so much that he was taken off the field on a cart and transported in an ambulance to the hospital for further tests.

    “It certainly looked a lot worse than it turned out,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “We’re thankful for that. Going through it with Taylor last night, he just took it like a champ. Obviously the stitches are where they are. If he was a hockey player, he might play today, but he’s not. So I’m really happy and fortunate for him that it turned out to be as good as we could hope for.”

    Ward said he could have played the ball better to avoid the injury.

    “I was pretty far in the gap, and I thought I had room in that little corner there,” Ward said. “Obviously I didn’t. And the ball’s hit pretty hard too. I should have definitely peeked, obviously. Another learning situation out there. Should have peeked, and I think that would have helped a lot if I would have, but didn’t. Tried to go for the ball and the wall was there.”

    After the incident, Angels right fielder Jo Adell said the fence is unsafe. There is padding around the edges of the scoreboard but the scoreboard itself is metal, with a grid of windows where numbers are manually hung. Adell was hurt when he hit the wall in 2021.

    On Sunday, Ward also said the fence could be improved, but he also took some responsibility.

    “It would be nice if I hit padding, for sure,” Ward said. “But you’ve also got to know where the wall is too, so there’s both sides of it. But it would be nice if they did something to it, just for the next guy. And hopefully I’m not the next guy. I just hope that they do something about it, just to prevent stuff like this.”

    MOORE DEMOTED

    The Angels sent second baseman Christian Moore to Triple-A on Monday. Moore hit .195 with a .623 OPS. He also made two costly defensive mistakes in the Angels’ loss on Friday. Moore started 16 of the Angels’ 25 games since coming off the injured list, and he came off the bench in six others.

    Montgomery said the Angels wanted Moore to play every day, and they also wanted to get more of a look at infielder Oswald Peraza, who has started to show signs of offensive improvement this weekend.

    Montgomery said Moore was not the same as before he suffered a sprained thumb in early July in Atlanta. He missed a month.

    “I think it’s probably affecting his swing a little bit,” Montgomery said. “The swing has a little bit more length here lately, which could be a combination of not playing every day as well as just pressing a little bit.”

    The Angels activated Chris Taylor from the injured list and called up infielder Scott Kingery. They were able to add one position player to the roster for September roster expansion.

    FARRIS UP

    The Angels called up left-hander Mitch Farris to fill their extra September pitching spot.

    Farris, 24, is expected to make his major league debut by starting either Tuesday or Wednesday in Kansas City. José Ureña, who was added to the roster on Sunday, is the main candidate to start the other game.

    Farris had a 4.27 ERA with 142 strikeouts in 116 innings at Double-A. He had a 1.52 ERA with 32 strikeouts in 23⅔ innings in his last four starts. His changeup is his best pitch.

    The Angels acquired Farris from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for right-hander Davis Daniel Tucker Davidson last December.

    NOTES

    The Angels placed outfielder Gustavo Campero and right-hander Carson Fulmer on the 60-day injured list, which opened 40-man roster spots for Farris and Kingery. …

    Bullpen coach Steve Karsay is undergoing hip surgery that will prevent him from being with the team for the rest of the season. Eddie Guardado, one of the Angels’ minor league pitching coaches, will take over as the big league bullpen coach. …

    First baseman Nolan Schanuel (left wrist contusion) hit some flips in the batting cage on Monday. Schanuel is hoping to be back sometime this week. …

    Third baseman Yoan Moncada was out of the lineup because he’s been dealing with a sore right shoulder, Montgomery said. …

    The Angels celebrated right-hander Luis Garcia for reaching 10 years of major league service time on Monday.

    UP NEXT

    Angels (TBD) at Royals (RHP Michael Lorenzen, 5-8, 4.62), Tuesday, 4:40 p.m. PT, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM

    Jeff Fletcher

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  • Angels seeking the solution to Mike Trout’s slump

    HOUSTON — The Angels continue to search for a way to get Mike Trout out of his current slump.

    Angels hitting coach Johnny Washington said he’s nonetheless optimistic they will soon find something that clicks for Trout.

    “We’ve been in the video room, watching, doing a bunch of comparison, things like that,” Washington said before Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

    “But honestly, we just haven’t found the success we’re looking for in the game. It’s really frustrating. At the same time, man, he’s gonna keep coming in and we’re gonna keep going to work until we find it.”

    Trout, a three-time MVP who routinely had an OPS around 1.000 in his prime and even around .850 in recent years, has seen his season OPS to drop to .786 with a miserable month.

    Going into Saturday’s game, Trout is 11 for 61 (.180) with no homers and a .539 OPS in his last 18 games. It’s the fourth-longest stretch of his career without a homer, and the longest since 2015. He’s been stuck on 398 homers during this slump.

    Trout has also struck out in 28 of his last 76 plate appearances (37%), and in the past week he’s whiffed in 13 of his last 19 trips to the plate.

    “He’s been punching out a lot more than he should,” Washington said. “But he’s been working. Can’t complain about the work. We’re trying a few different things in terms of changing the work. We’re trying to get some of the work to bleed out into the game. It’s been rough for him. I know he’s not excited about what’s been taking place, but he continues to come to the ballpark (early). He’s been a true pro throughout this time and throughout this little rough patch he’s been in.”

    Trout has gotten into two-strike counts in 74% of his plate appearances in August, which is the highest percentage for any month of his career. His overall percentage is 56%.

    “He has been in a ton of two-strike counts,” Washington said. “There’s been some pitches that he’s taken that in the past he would actually swing at. We’ve identified some of that. Some of it is just ending the at-bat, when the at-bat should be ended, and at times he’ll foul off a pitch or swing and miss. He’s frustrated, to say the least. He’s working through it. And we’ll find a way to get through it.”

    Trout addressed the slump earlier this week, saying simply that he was having trouble “recognizing the pitch, being on time.”

    When asked if his knee was bothering him, Trout acknowledged that it’s not 100%.

    “I feel it,” he said. “It is what it is.”

    Trout, 34, has been limited to DH duty since he returned from a month on the injured list with a bone bruise in his left knee, which was surgically repaired twice last season.

    Trout’s current performance has certainly given rise to the narrative that this isn’t merely a slump, but it’s just a reflection of the type of hitter he is at this point in his career.

    Washington said he believes Trout will turn it around soon.

    “I’m optimistic, with a month left, that that he’ll find some some traction,” Washington said, “and hopefully finish on a really good note.”

    NOTES

    The Angels are still undecided on their pitcher for Tuesday’s game in Kansas City. Left-hander Sam Aldegheri made his scheduled start Saturday at Double-A, eliminating him as a candidate. …

    First baseman Nolan Schanuel (wrist contusion) is expected to try to swing a bat Sunday. “I would say better, but not significantly better,” interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “But enough to at least move forward.” …

    Jorge Soler (back) took batting practice on the field Saturday. “We’re going to add a little more to it every day and kind of stack some gains on that,” Montgomery said.

    UP NEXT

    Angels (RHP José Soriano, 9-9, 3.85) at Astros (RHP Hunter Brown, 10-6, 2.37), 11:10 a.m. PT Sunday, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM

    Jeff Fletcher

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  • Angels’ Christian Moore not alone in his struggles: ‘Everyone goes through it’

    HOUSTON — Ray Montgomery recently pulled Christian Moore aside for a gentle reminder.

    “C-Mo,” the Angels’ interim manager said to his rookie second baseman, “You’re used to getting two hits every time you go play a game. That’s not going to happen here. You’re so closely removed from it that your mind takes time to catch up to that.”

    It was only 15 months ago that Moore was dominating in the College World Series, completing an amateur career in which he simply had to show up to the field to be the best player out there.

    Now, Moore is hitting is .202, and it took four hits in his last three games to get him over the Mendoza Line – aka .200 – for the first time in his “career.”

    The word career goes in quotes because Moore, 22, has played only 37 big-league games, which certainly seemed like a lengthy slump to him but is actually just the blink of an eye.

    At least, that’s what his manager and his veteran teammates have been telling Moore, as they have told every other young player when he endures the rite of passage of that first “slump.”

    “Everyone goes through it,” 35-year-old right-hander Kyle Hendricks said. “It’s good for you at the end of the day. It’s where you learn about yourself.”

    Catcher Travis d’Arnaud, 36, was a first-round pick and had a couple moments in the minors and early in the majors when he learned that the natural talent that served him so well his entire life no longer separated him from his peers.

    “Buster Posey came up and was almost instantly the best catcher in the game,” d’Arnaud said of the former San Francisco Giants star. “I wouldn’t say I was assuming that would happen, but I was hopeful it would. And when it didn’t, when I talked to people, I learned the vast majority of people go through the path that I went through, versus what Buster did. I think that opened my eyes to relax and just go play baseball and have fun. Don’t put extra pressure on what you’re doing.”

    Outfielder Taylor Ward, 31, was a first-round pick as a catcher in 2015. He went through two position changes and a .181 average over parts of two big-league seasons before settling in as even a mediocre big leaguer. It took another two seasons, until he was 28, for him to finally realize his potential as an above-average player.

    “I think everybody kind of goes at their own pace,” Ward said. “And just honestly, it probably comes down to coaches along the way, helping us make those strides.”

    Ward said he remembered a conversation last year with Zach Neto when the young shortstop was going through a rough stretch.

    “You’re gonna play for the next 12-plus years and you’ve got thousands of at-bats coming your way,” Ward said. “Just try to learn from every at-bat and then move on.”

    Veteran players agree that everyone hits the wall at some point. For some, like Moore, it may not happen until they reach the majors. In that case, it’s a little more complicated because the world is watching, and outsiders may not have the patience that their peers know is necessary.

    Hendricks said he had plenty of “practice” in adjusting to the notion that success would be difficult, because he’d been fighting uphill ever since he was a high school kid playing against first-rounders in Southern California.

    Even after a good college career at Dartmouth, he was an 11th-round pick and showed up in the minor leagues for an immediate reality check.

    “These kids from extended spring were throwing bullpens and I see every guy throwing 95 or low 90s, and I’m barely touching 90,” Hendricks said. “That was eye-opening for me. That’s where I kind of decided that I need to learn from what my strengths are for real and what I can do best. I need to learn to make the ball move. I need to learn to throw a real good changeup. I didn’t spin the ball great at that time. I threw a four-seam and a curveball, which is not my game at all. So that’s where I started to flip.

    “That’s where I started to learn my game, from guys who were better than me.”

    Even a player like Neto, who was the 13th overall pick and took less than a year to get to the majors, had moments where he learned that what got him to the majors wouldn’t necessarily keep him there.

    Neto used to use an exaggerated leg kick on all pitches before two strikes. Then he ditched it against certain pitchers. Now he doesn’t use it all. Jo Adell went through a similar transformation as he changed his swing and approach, finally enjoying a breakthrough at age 26.

    Those type of physical adjustments are important, but the veterans who have been through it said the most important adjustment is mental. It’s about coming to grips with the reality of competing at the highest level.

    “The mental side of it is tough,” d’Arnaud said. “It’s definitely tough.”

    Just Wednesday night, 24-year-old Jack Kochanowicz gave up 11 runs in a nightmare game that ballooned his ERA for his first full season to 6.81. Kochanowicz was effective as a major-league pitcher for two months last year, so the physical talent is there. He said after the game that part of the solution is learning to “just get out of my head.”

    Moore had a few hero moments in his first weeks in the majors, but lately they have been more at the other end of the spectrum. After a key strikeout late in Sunday’s game, Moore sat alone in the dugout for a few minutes after the game.

    A few days – and a few hits – later, he seemed to have it all in perspective.

    “I don’t think the confidence goes away,” he said. “When I step in the box, I know I’m the best player out there. I don’t think I’m overmatched out there. I know my moves are good enough to compete.

    “Just getting over the hump and understanding (a pitcher) may have a little more hop on his heater or may have a little more bite to his slider than I’m used to … just figuring that out. It’s all right. It’s fun. I love going out there and competing. You’re going to make a lot more outs than hits, so you’ve got to understand that.”

    UP NEXT

    Angels (LHP Tyler Anderson, 2-8, 4.73) at Astros (TBD), 5:10 p.m. PT Friday, FanDuel Sports Network West, 830 AM

    Jeff Fletcher

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  • Angels’ bats never get going in loss to Reds

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Angels starting pitcher Victor Mederos throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Jessie Alcheh)

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ANAHEIM — The Angels found themselves in a quick hole on Monday, one that didn’t get much deeper the rest of the night but was still deep enough.

Most of their early hard-hit balls went for outs, giving Cincinnati Reds right-hander Brady Singer time to settle in and limit the Angels’ bats in the 4-1 victory at Angel Stadium.

Singer departed after allowing one run and six hits over six innings, and the Angels couldn’t rally against Cincinnati relievers Connor Phillips, Luis Mey and Scott Barlow, stranding seven runners over the final four innings.

“We hit some balls hard, we just hit them in spots,” Angels manager Ray Montgomery said. “That’s what (Singer) does, he keeps the ball on the ground, and he’s always going to have the double play at his advantage. Just one of those nights, balls got hit right at people and we didn’t come through.”

Angels starter Victor Mederos (0-1) got off to a rocky beginning in his second MLB start, giving up two runs after five pitches, but he navigated through five innings, allowing three runs and nine hits while striking out three and walking three.

“It was good, settled down after the first,” Montgomery said of Mederos. “Made a bad pitch, Lux got a changeup up and he did what he was supposed to with it. He worked through a tough first inning and settled in and gave us five good innings.”

On defense, the Angels misplayed two balls into triples, one by Luis Rengifo, who was asked to play center field for the first time since playing four games there in 2023 after pinch-hitting for Bryce Teodosio in the seventh.

“That was totally on me,” Montgomery said. “I wanted to see Luis in center field.”

TJ Friedl singled up the middle on an 0-and-1 pitch to start the game, and former Dodgers infielder Gavin Lux then lined an elevated 0-and-2 changeup into the seats in right field for a 2-0 lead.

“Got to make sure I keep that changeup down and either get a swing and miss or a take, and then go back to my stuff,” Mederos said.

The Angels came back with a run in their half of the first after Nolan Schanuel lined a one-out single up the middle, Mike Trout walked and Taylor Ward delivered an RBI double down the right-field line to cut it to 2-1, but that was all they could get off of Singer (11-9).

The Angels (60-65) missed a chance to add to their lead in the first when Reds first baseman Spencer Steer snagged a line drive by Yoán Moncada and doubled up Ward at second.

Cincinnati (66-60) couldn’t take advantage of a leadoff triple in the third after Ward was indecisive as he charged in on a line drive by Austin Hays and the ball skipped past him, but the Reds capitalized on a leadoff triple by Elly De La Cruz in the fifth when Hays brought him home with a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 3-1.

The next three batters then reached base on two singles and a walk, but Mederos got two infield pop-ups to avoid further damage.

Rengifo ran out to center field in the seventh inning and was quickly tested by Reds third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes, who hit a line drive that froze Rengifo before it sailed over his head for a triple. Matt McLain then followed with a sacrifice fly for a 4-1 lead.

Adell has played 82 games in center field this season, but Montgomery is determined to keep him in right field.

“Obviously, if I would have known the first pitch would be the toughest play, hit at him, line drive,” Montgomery said. “He didn’t handle it great, but I put him out there to keep Jo in right, keep Ward in left, and I needed to see what Luis looked like in center field.”

After the ball cleared Rengifo’s head, he didn’t run full speed to retrieve it and Montgomery said that effort was discussed between innings.

“We all saw it,” Montgomery said. “After you make that mistake, you’ve got to really bust it to get back there too and, again, part of that is him being out of position, so to speak, to what he’s most comfortable.”

The Reds also turned a double play on a hard-hit ball in the second inning that snuffed out a potential rally.

Adell was at first with a leadoff single when Christian Moore smashed a one-hopper at Hayes, who bobbled the ball but still managed to turn two.

Hayes made another nice play to lead off the third when Teodosio hit a hard comebacker off the foot of Singer. The ball caromed toward Hayes, who barehanded it and threw out the speedy Teodosio at first.

That proved big as the next batter, Zach Neto, doubled off the base of the wall in left field but was left stranded at second.

“He’s a special defender over there at third base,” Montgomery said of Hayes. “We’re going to keep it away from him as often as we can. He made some really good plays. Balls were hit hard, balls were hit soft, he was on it.”

Singer retired nine in a row following Neto’s double before giving up back-to-back one-out singles to Schanuel and Trout in the sixth. Ward flew out softly to right and Moncada struck out looking to end the threat.

The Angels stranded two more runners in the seventh when Neto flew out to the wall in center off of Phillips.

“I thought he got it good enough,” Montgomery said of Neto’s long fly.

Barlow relieved Mey with two on and two out in the eighth and struck out Adell to end the inning.

The Reds left the door open for a comeback early on by stranding nine runners through the first five innings.

Dan Arritt

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  • Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?

    Top 45 MLB free agents for 2024-25 with contract predictions, team fits: Will Soto get $600M+?

    MLB free agency is almost here so it’s time for my annual ranking of the top free agents with contract predictions and the best team fits for each player. Eligible players technically become free agents the day after the World Series ends but cannot sign with a new team until five days after the final out.

    This year’s free-agent class will be headlined by Juan Soto, whom many in the industry expect to sign a contract in the $550 million to $650 million range. The top of the pool could feature four front-of-the-rotation pitchers, including Corbin Burnes, Blake Snell, Max Fried and perhaps even Roki Sasaki, if the soon-to-be 23-year-old phenom makes it to free agency. In terms of position players, this class will have a pair of prominent power hitters in first baseman Pete Alonso and right fielder Anthony Santander and a couple of impact two-way corner infielders in first baseman Christian Walker and third baseman Alex Bregman.

    This list will change between now and the start of free agency. Some of these players will come off the board if they decide not to opt out of their contracts or their clubs exercise options. Some could decide to retire. In addition, more international players could join the eventual class. (For this ranking, I’ve included any player who could reach free agency this November, even if in some cases that outcome is unlikely.)

    Along with my colleagues at The Athletic, I will be actively covering free agency and the trade season from start to finish, so let’s discuss the current landscape. Here is my ranking of the top 45 free agents for the 2024-25 offseason, with my thoughts on the players as well as information from my conversations with decision-makers across the game. What types of contracts could these players command? These are my initial projections.

    (Note: Players’ ages are as of Oct. 24. WAR is according to Baseball Reference as of Oct. 24.) 

    1. Juan Soto, OF

    Age: 25
    B: L T: L HT: 6-2 WT: 225
    2024 (Yankees): 7.9 WAR
    Career: 36.4 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $31 million

    Has Juan Soto found his permanent home with the Yankees? Can they keep him after a strong platform year? He certainly lived up to expectations in his first year in the Bronx, slashing .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs and a league-leading 128 runs scored. He’s expected to finish third in the American League MVP voting behind Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. He’s met the big moments in this postseason and has logged a 1.106 OPS.

    By all indications, he’s poised to become the second-highest-paid player in baseball history, behind only Shohei Ohtani. He’s a generational talent who will hit free agency at only 26 and should be able to land a 15-year deal. Most executives believe he’ll end up somewhere between $550 million and $650 million, which will probably limit his market to both New York teams and possibly the Blue Jays. Other teams such as the Dodgers, Phillies, Rangers and Nationals also could emerge for Soto.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mets, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Ohtani (10 years, $700M); Mike Trout (12 years, $426M); Mookie Betts (12 years, $365M); Judge (9 years, $360M)

    Contract prediction: 15 years, $622 million

    2. Corbin Burnes, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-3 WT: 245
    2024 (Orioles): 3.4 WAR
    Career: 17.2 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $15.64 million

    This will be the fifth consecutive year that Corbin Burnes finishes in the top eight in Cy Young Award voting. Burnes went 15-9 with 181 strikeouts and 1.096 WHIP in his first season in the American League after the Orioles traded for him in February. He’s pitched more than 190 innings three years in a row and is 60-36 with a 3.19 ERA over 199 games (138 starts) in his career. He will be — and should be — the most sought-after free-agent pitcher this offseason.

    Best team fits: Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox, Orioles
    Salary comps: Stephen Strasburg (7 years, $245M); Jacob deGrom (5 years, $185M); Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $247 million

    3. Roki Sasaki, RHP

    Age: 22
    HT: 6-2 WT: 187

    It is unclear if Roki Sasaki’s team in Japan, the Chiba Lotte Marines, will allow him to leave for MLB this offseason, but with the Marines out of the NPB playoffs, we should know soon. If he is coming, he will be the most coveted international free agent as the Dodgers, Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Diamondbacks all committed significant resources to scout him this month, including sending top executives to see him pitch.

    How much teams would be willing to offer Sasaki could depend on his medical reports as he didn’t pitch for two months in the middle of the year because of arm troubles, which limited him to 18 games and 111 innings. (He pitched just 91 innings in 2023 due to an oblique injury and has topped the 100-inning mark only once in his career.)

    However, he dominated down the stretch this season, averaging 100.5 mph with his fastball and reaching 103 mph. Since Sasaki is under 25, he would be subject to international bonus pool restrictions; if he’s posted after this season, he’d only be allowed to sign a minor-league contract, which is what Ohtani did with the Angels in 2017.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Diamondbacks, Red Sox
    Salary comps: None

    Contract prediction: Minor-league contract

    4. Gerrit Cole, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-4 WT: 220
    2024 (Yankees): 2.0 WAR
    Career: 43.3 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $36 million

    Gerrit Cole will not be a free agent this offseason, but I’ve included him in this list because he has the right to opt out of his contract and could theoretically reach the open market. That won’t happen though, as he’s in line to make $36 million a year with the Yankees through 2028, which he could not match in free agency.

    Cole spent 2 1/2 months on the injured list and is not fully back to his usual level of performance but seems to be getting better the more he pitches. His four-seam fastball was at 97 mph in the seventh inning of the Yankees’ clinching win over Kansas City in the Division Series, with elite spin at the top of the zone. Cole will start Game 1 of the World Series, and although I don’t expect him to dominate, he should pitch well enough to give the Yankees a chance to win.

    Prediction: Cole won’t opt out of his contract


    Max Fried acknowledges the fans at Truist Park. Will he be back with the Braves? (Brett Davis / Imagn Images)

    5. Max Fried, LHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-4 WT: 190
    2024 (Braves): 3.5 WAR
    Career: 24.1 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $15 million

    Max Fried has a career record of 73-36 with a 3.07 ERA and 3.29 FIP. He’s made two All-Star teams, won two Gold Glove awards and finished top-five in the Cy Young Award voting twice. He’s made 28 to 30 starts in three of the last four seasons but has dealt with injuries, including left forearm neuritis each of the last two years. Therefore, his medical reports will determine whether he lands a market-rate deal or has to take a lesser contract. The Braves have tried over the last several years to extend Fried to no avail. They’ll keep trying this offseason and wait to see how he fares in the market, but they definitely want him back.

    Best team fits: Braves, Orioles, Mets, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M); Carlos Rodón (6 years, $162M); Patrick Corbin (6 years, $140M); Tyler Glasnow (5 years, $136.5M)

    Contract prediction: 6 years, $174 million

    6. Pete Alonso, 1B

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 245
    2024 (Mets): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 19.8 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $20.5 million

    Pete Alonso’s value spiked after he performed this postseason in the biggest moments, including hitting three opposite-field home runs during the Mets’ magical run. He’s beloved in New York and the feeling is mutual. I think a return to the Mets is inevitable, but several contending teams would love to have his 40-homer bat in the middle of their lineups.

    Best team fits: Mets, Mariners, Yankees, Nationals
    Salary comps: Matt Olson (8 years, $168M); Nolan Arenado (8 years, $260M); Kris Bryant (7 years, $182M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $204 million

    7. Alex Bregman, 3B

    Age: 30
    B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 190
    2024 (Astros) 4.1 WAR
    Career: 39.6 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $20 million

    Alex Bregman would love to finish his career as an Astro, but will the organization do enough to keep him? Houston has a history in free agency of saying goodbye to its star players, such as Carlos Correa and George Springer, who both departed when the Astros weren’t willing to commit to the long-term contracts they could land elsewhere.

    Bregman is a proven leader with elite skills in not chasing out of the strike zone. He has all the intangibles that winning organizations want. His market range is well-defined — somewhere between what the Giants gave Matt Chapman last month and Nolan Arenado’s contract with the Rockies/Cardinals. Astros general manager Dana Brown has said the team will make Bregman an offer, but will it be close to how the rest of the industry views him?

    Best team fits: Astros, Yankees, Nationals, Mariners, Tigers
    Salary comps: Matt Chapman (6 years, $151M); Nolan Arenado (8 years, $260M); Xander Bogaerts (11 years, $280M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $185.5 million

    8. Blake Snell, LHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-4 WT: 225
    2024 (Giants): 2.1 WAR
    Career: 23.4 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $32 million

    Snell was looking for a long-term contract last offseason, but most executives were concerned about his track record, which includes making 30 or more starts only twice in a nine-year career and never pitching more than 180 2/3 innings in a season. However, in the two years he did make 30 starts (2018, 2023), he won a Cy Young Award both times.

    This year he dealt with injuries early but performed well after returning in July; he finished with a 3.12 ERA and 2.43 FIP over 20 starts. Snell will pitch at age 32 next year and I think his lack of durability — he’s pitched more than 130 innings in a season only once since 2018 — will again prevent him from getting a long-term contract. However, after opting out of his $30 million player option, he’ll be able to sign a better deal.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Orioles, Mets, Braves, Giants
    Salary comps: Aaron Nola (7 years, $172M); Carlos Rodón (6 years, $162M); Patrick Corbin (6 years, $140M); Tyler Glasnow (5 years, $136.5M); José Berríos (7 years, $131M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $105 million

    9. Freddy Peralta, RHP

    Age: 28
    HT: 6-0 WT: 202
    2024 (Brewers): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 8.9 WAR
    Agent: Rep 1 Baseball 2024 salary: $5.7 million

    Freddy Peralta will not make it to free agency but I’ll include him in this list until the Brewers exercise their $8 million team option for 2025. Peralta pitched to a 3.68 ERA over 32 starts this season, with 200 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings. Milwaukee also holds an $8 million team option for 2026.

    Prediction: Brewers will exercise $8 million team option for 2025


    Anthony Santander hit 44 homers, finishing behind only Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani on the major-league leaderboard. (Tommy Gilligan / Imagn Images)

    10. Anthony Santander, RF

    Age: 30
    B: B T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 230
    2024 (Orioles): 2.9 WAR
    Career: 11.1 WAR
    Agent: GSE Worldwide 2024 salary: $11.7 million

    A lot of teams are looking for corner outfielders with power and there won’t be a lot of those players available via free agency or trades. This season Santander had 44 home runs, 102 RBIs and 91 runs scored, all of which were career highs. He’s hit 105 homers over the past three seasons and is still only 30.

    Best team fits: Orioles, Nationals, Reds, Blue Jays, Mariners
    Salary comps: Brandon Nimmo (8 years, $162M); George Springer (6 years, $150M)

    Contract prediction: 7 years, $150.5 million

    11. Willy Adames, SS

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 219
    2024 (Brewers): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 21.5
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $12.25 million

    I expected Willy Adames to be traded to the Dodgers after Corey Seager departed as a free agent in 2021, but it never happened because the Brewers remained a contender and never made him available. With Adames now reaching free agency, the Dodgers should be viewed as heavy favorites to land him. President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman had Adames in his organization for a couple of years when he was GM of the Rays and has always been a big fan of the player. Adames is a perfect fit for the left side of the Dodgers’ infield.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Brewers, Braves
    Salary comps: Dansby Swanson (7 years, $177M); Javier Báez (6 years, $140M); Trevor Story (6 years, $140M)

    Contract prediction: 6 years, $150 million

    12. Marcell Ozuna, DH

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 225
    2024 (Braves): 4.3 WAR
    Career: 27.7 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $18 million

    Marcell Ozuna was the Braves’ best offensive player this season, slashing .302/.378/.546 with 31 doubles and 39 home runs, and was the league’s second-best designated hitter behind Ohtani. The Braves hold a club option for $16 million for 2025 and they’re expected to exercise it, which will remove Ozuna from my next ranking.

    Prediction: Braves will exercise $16 million club option for 2025

    13. Christian Walker, 1B

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 208
    2024 (Diamondbacks): 2.6
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $10.9 million

    Christian Walker is one of the best first basemen in the sport. Despite his years of production, he’s never made an All-Star team; I thought he was the biggest All-Star snub this summer. The two-time Gold Glove Award winner is in line to win his third after leading NL first basemen in outs above average.

    Despite missing more than a month with an oblique injury, he finished the season with 26 home runs and 84 RBIs in 130 games. It was the third year in a row he’s hit at least 25 bombs and posted an OPS+ over 120. Several teams have early interest in Walker, with the Astros and Mariners being the best early team fits.

    Best team fits: Astros, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Mets
    Salary comps: Paul Goldschmidt (5 years, $130M); Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $72 million

    14. Cody Bellinger, CF

    Age: 29
    B: L T: L HT: 6-4 WT: 203
    2024 (Cubs): 2.2 WAR
    Career: 24.5 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $30 million

    Cody Bellinger didn’t get the long-term deal he sought last offseason and again will probably have to take a shorter-term deal with a higher average annual value if he opts out of his three-year deal. The reason: He’s hit 20 or more home runs only once in five years and his production varies dramatically from year to year.

    Bellinger has won an MVP, a Rookie of the Year, two Silver Slugger awards, a Gold Glove Award and has been an All-Star twice in his eight-year career. However, his slash line over the past three seasons has been a roller coaster ride, which makes it difficult for teams to assess which version they would be getting in the coming years. Bellinger’s ability to play above-average defense at all three outfield positions and first base improves his market value.

    Best team fits: Cubs, Mariners, Giants, Blue Jays, Angels, Astros, Pirates, Phillies, Nationals
    Salary comps: Brandon Nimmo (8 years, $162M); George Springer (5 years, $150M); Paul Goldschmidt (5 years, $130M); Nick Castellanos (5 years, $100M); Kyle Schwarber (4 years, $79M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $112 million

    15. Shane Bieber, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-3 WT: 200
    2024 (Guardians): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 17.7 WAR
    Agent: Rosenhaus Sports Representation 2024 salary: $13.13 million

    Shane Bieber will likely be my pick for best value signing this offseason because of his upside. The AL Cy Young Award winner in 2020, he finished fourth in the voting in 2019 and seventh in 2022. He’s a two-time All-Star and a former Gold Glove winner.

    He made only two starts this year before undergoing Tommy John surgery, which will put him out of service until at least next summer. However, if he comes back healthy, whoever signs him might have a Cy Young-caliber pitcher for the second half of the season.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Rangers, Guardians, Padres
    Salary comps: N/A. I don’t see a good comp for Bieber in his specific situation.

    Contract prediction: Low base salary with incentives for games started and innings pitched, plus option years


    Sean Manaea boosted his value with a career year. (Brad Penner / Imagn Images)

    16. Sean Manaea, LHP

    Age: 32
    HT: 6-5 WT: 245
    2024 (Mets): 3.0 WAR
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $14.5 million

    I don’t think there’s another player who increased his free-agent value more this year than Sean Manaea, who did so thanks to significant mechanical changes that led to a crossfire-type delivery. Manaea went 12-6 with a 3.47 ERA and 184 strikeouts in 181 2/3 innings. He had a .185 batting average against and 0.938 WHIP in the second half of the season, then largely pitched well in three of his four postseason outings, including a dominant NLDS start against the Phillies in which he allowed one run and three hits in seven innings. He has a $13.5 million player option for 2025 that he will decline.

    Best team fits: Mets, Orioles, Twins
    Salary comps: Hyun Jin Ryu (4 years, $80M); Eduardo Rodriguez (4 years, $80M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $68 million

    17. Jack Flaherty, RHP

    Age: 29
    HT: 6-4 WT: 225
    2024 (Tigers, Dodgers): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 13.2 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $14 million

    Jack Flaherty was the best starting pitcher traded at the deadline after logging a 2.95 ERA with 133 strikeouts and 19 walks in 18 starts for the Tigers, who dealt him because he was an impending free agent and they didn’t think they were a contender. (What a run they had!)

    The Tigers had a preliminary trade agreement in place with the Yankees, but New York backed out of the deal over concerns about his medical records. Flaherty was then traded to the Dodgers, who had no problem with the medical risk. He delivered for the Dodgers and was their best starter for the rest of the regular season, going 6-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 10 starts.

    He showed his ability to miss bats this season with 194 strikeouts (in 162 innings), his highest total since 2019, when he finished fourth in the NL Cy Young Award voting. He’s only 29. If teams aren’t concerned about the medical risk associated with his back issues, he should land a three-year pact.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Mets, Twins, Tigers
    Salary comps: Lance McCullers Jr. (5 years, $85M); Mitch Keller (5 years, $77M); Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Pablo López (4 years, $73.5M); Kyle Hendricks (4 years, $55.5M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $68 million

    18. Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP

    Age: 35
    HT: 6-1 WT: 198

    Tomoyuki Sugano has gone 136-75 with a 2.45 ERA and 1,596 strikeouts in 12 NPB seasons with the Yomiuri Giants. This year he logged a 1.67 ERA and 0.945 WHIP in 24 starts. He is a two-time winner of the Sawamura Award, which in Japan is equivalent to the Cy Young Award. Sugano has a six-pitch mix and he pounds the strike zone with elite command and control.

    Best team fits: Padres, Rangers, Dodgers, Orioles, Guardians, Mets
    Salary comps: N/A

    Contract prediction: None at this time

    19. Michael Wacha, RHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-6 WT: 215
    2024 (Royals): 3.5 WAR
    Career: 16.6 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $16 million

    Michael Wacha has been superb and consistent over the past three years, posting ERAs between 3.22 and 3.35 with double-digit wins each season, all while pitching on short-term contracts. His downward plane and changeup (.169 batting average against) are special. He ranked in the 99th percentile in offspeed run value and in the 92nd percentile in hard-hit rate. Wacha has a $16 million player option for 2025 that I expect he’ll decline so he can enter free agency and land a multiyear contract.

    Best team fits: Royals, Pirates, Orioles, Twins, Tigers
    Salary comps: Jameson Taillon (4 years, $68M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M); Jon Gray (4 years, $56M); Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $54 million

    20. Nathan Eovaldi, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-2 WT: 217
    2024 (Rangers): 2.2 WAR
    Career: 21.0 WAR
    Agent: ACES 2024 salary: $16 million ($20 million player option for 2025)

    Nathan Eovaldi had a 3.80 ERA over 29 starts and recorded 12 wins for the second consecutive season with the Rangers. He is expected to opt out of his contract, which was set to pay him $20 million in 2025, and instead will receive a $2 million buyout. I think he’ll get a two-year contract in free agency. Every contending team should be interested in him.

    Best team fits: Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles, Padres
    Salary comps: Sonny Gray (3 years, $75M); Blake Snell (2 years, $62M); Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $42 million with a team option


    Teoscar Hernández posted a 137 OPS+, his highest mark in a full season. (Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Imagn Images)

    21. Teoscar Hernández, LF

    Age: 32
    B: R T: R HT: 6-2 WT: 215
    2024 (Dodgers): 4.3 WAR
    Career: 17.1 WAR
    Agent: Republik Sports 2024 salary: $23.5 million

    Teoscar Hernández made a smart move last offseason in signing with the Dodgers. He accepted a one-year deal with a high AAV and got to join a loaded lineup filled with future Hall of Famers. Hernández then did what he does best — hit home runs, a career-high 33 of them, to go with 99 RBIs. He’s a below-average defender in left field but a strong clubhouse presence with his energy and enthusiasm.

    Best team fit: Dodgers, Nationals, Tigers, Royals
    Salary comps: George Springer (6 years, $150M); Nick Castellanos (5 years, $100M); Starling Marte (4 years, $78M); Jorge Soler (3 years, $42M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $75 million

    22. Walker Buehler, RHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-2 WT: 185
    2024 (Dodgers): -1.3 WAR
    Career: 12.2 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $8.025 million

    The way Walker Buehler pitched for much of the regular season (1-6, 5.38 ERA), it didn’t appear he would regain his past form after returning from a second Tommy John surgery. But he made a big impression in Game 3 of the NLCS, when he dominated the Mets over four shutout innings. Buehler will probably have to sign a one-year contract with a mutual option, then show he can pitch a full season healthy and rebuild his value.

    Best team fit: Dodgers
    Salary comps: None

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million with incentives

    23. Tanner Scott, LHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-0 WT: 235
    2024 (Marlins, Padres): 3.9 WAR
    Career: 8.6 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $5.7 million

    Tanner Scott will be the best left-handed high-leverage reliever on the free-agent market. He can be deployed at any time and in any role — closer, set up, match up — to get left- or right-handed hitters out. He had a banner year, registering a 1.75 ERA in 72 appearances with 22 saves. Batters hit .134 against his four-seam fastball and .231 against his wipeout slider.

    Best team fits: Padres, Orioles, Rangers, Tigers, Royals, Nationals, Giants
    Salary comps: Raisel Iglesias (4 years, $58M); Robert Suarez (5 years, $46M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $60 million

    24. Jurickson Profar, LF

    Age: 31
    B: B T: R HT: 6-0 WT: 184
    2024 (Padres): 3.7 WAR
    Career: 8.5 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $1 million

    Jurickson Profar was one of the best value signings of the 2023-24 offseason. He inked a one-year contract with the Padres for a base salary of $1 million, then had a career year, finishing second in the NL with a .380 on-base percentage. He hit .280 with 24 home runs, 29 doubles and 10 stolen bases. He also made his first All-Star team. A multiyear deal awaits.

    Best team fits: Padres, Twins
    Salary comps: Mitch Haniger (3 years, $43.5M); Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (3 years, $42M); Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $44 million

    25. Eugenio Suárez, 3B

    Age: 33
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 213
    2024 (Diamondbacks) 3.1 WAR
    Career: 23.6 WAR
    Agent: Octagon 2024 salary: $11.285 million

    The Diamondbacks acquired Eugenio Suárez from Seattle last offseason in hopes of improving their power. Suárez certainly delivered with 30 home runs and 100 RBIs. He finished in the 96th percentile in sweet spot percentage and played solid defense at the hot corner, finishing in the 82nd percentile in range (outs above average). The Diamondbacks hold a $15 million option for 2025 ($2 million buyout) that they’ll likely pick up.

    Best team fits: Diamondbacks, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Matt Chapman (6 years, $151M); Chris Taylor (4 years, $60M); Max Muncy (2 years, $24M)

    Contract prediction: Diamondbacks exercise $15 million team option for 2025

    26. Jordan Montgomery, LHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-6 WT: 228
    War: -1.4
    Career: 11.2 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $25 million

    Jordan Montgomery ended up being the worst free-agent signing of last year’s class. He turned down a four-year offer from the Red Sox, instead agreeing to a one-year, $25 million deal with the Diamondbacks that included a $22.5 million player option for 2025. He had a disastrous year.

    He went 8-7 with a 6.23 ERA and averaged just 6.4 strikeouts per nine innings, the worst rate of his eight-year career. Diamondbacks owner Ken Kendrick publicly said he hopes Montgomery doesn’t exercise his player option, but the lefty has little choice as no team would offer him a similar contract in free agency this offseason.

    Best team fits: Orioles, Red Sox, Tigers, Twins, Nationals
    Salary comps: None

    Prediction: Montgomery exercises 22.5 million player option and then the Diamondbacks try to trade him

    27. Ha-Seong Kim, SS

    Age: 28
    B: R T: R HT: 5-9 WT: 168
    2024 (Padres): 2.6 WAR
    Career: 15.3 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $8 million

    Ha-Seong Kim underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in September to repair a “small tear” in the labrum of his right (throwing) shoulder. He sustained the injury Aug. 18 while diving back to first base on a pick-off play. This season manager Mike Shildt moved Kim from second base, where he won a Gold Glove Award last year, to shortstop, which was a significant defensive upgrade for the Padres. However, Kim hit just .233 with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases before going on the injured list. He might have to sign a “pillow contract” to show he’s recovered from the injury, then produce like he did in 2023, when he hit 17 home runs and stole 38 bases.

    Best team fits: Padres, Brewers, Dodgers, Pirates
    Salary comps: J.P. Crawford (5 years, $51M); Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Nico Hoerner (3 years, $35M); Orlando Arcia (3 years, $7.3M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million with incentives and award bonuses

    28. Gleyber Torres, 2B

    Age: 27
    B: R T: R HT: 6-1 WT: 205
    2024 (Yankees): 1.8 WAR
    Career: 16.1 WAR
    Agent: Octagon 2024 salary: $14.2 million

    Gleyber Torres has wanted to sign a long-term contract with the Yankees but there have never been serious negotiations to keep him in the Bronx for years to come. He is a below-average defender at second base with limited range. He hit .257 with 15 home runs and a 101 OPS+ on the season but batted over .300 when he was moved to the leadoff spot in September and has performed in October, slashing .297/.400/.432 in the playoffs.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mariners, Blue Jays, Marlins
    Salary comps: Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Nico Hoerner (3 years, $35M); J.P. Crawford (5 years, $51M)

    Contract prediction: 4 years, $44 million


    Tyler O’Neill is coming off his best season since 2021. (Bob DeChiara / Imagn Images)

    29. Tyler O’Neill, OF

    Age: 29
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 200
    2024 (Red Sox): 2.7 WAR
    Career: 12.6
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $5.85 million

    Tyler O’Neill is like Blake Snell and Cody Bellinger — when he can stay healthy and play up to his potential, he delivers. This year he slashed .241/.336/.511 with 31 home runs in 113 games. However, it was only the second somewhat healthy successful season of his seven-year career — his last one was in 2021 when he hit 34 home runs with the Cardinals, finished eighth in NL MVP voting and won his second Gold Glove Award.

    O’Neill had multiple stints on the injured list this year and has played more than 100 games only twice. Despite coming off a productive season, that lack of availability will force him to sign another short-term contract.

    Best team fit: Red Sox
    Salary comps: Starling Marte (4 years, $78M); Andrew Benintendi (5 years, $75M); Ian Happ (3 years, $61M); Jorge Soler (3 years, 42M); Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $32 million

    30. Yusei Kikuchi, LHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-0 WT: 210
    2024 (Blue Jays, Astros): 1.4 WAR
    Career: 4.1
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $10 million

    Yusei Kikuchi was 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA over 22 starts with the Blue Jays, who dealt him to Houston at the trade deadline. The Astros quickly changed his pitch sequencing and usage and the results were astounding — he went 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA and 3.07 FIP over 10 starts (60 innings). Kikuchi would be smart to re-sign with the Astros and the feeling should be mutual based on his results and the prospect package they traded to land him.

    Best team fits: Astros, Orioles, Tigers, Twins
    Salary comps: Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63.3 million; Miles Mikolas (3 years $55.75M); Seth Lugo (3 years; $45M); Tyler Anderson (3 years; $39M); Nathan Eovaldi (2 years, $34M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $42 million

    31. Brandon Lowe, 2B

    Age: 30
    B: L T: R HT: 5-10 WT: 185
    2024 (Rays): 2.4 WAR
    Career: 16.0 WAR
    Agent: The Bledsoe Agency 2024 salary: $8.75 million

    Brandon Lowe is another player who just can’t stay off the injured list; he’s played more than 110 games just once in his seven-year career and has averaged 108 games over the last two years. However, his power has been consistent during that span as he hit 21 homers in both years.

    He’s only 30, and if he can stay healthy, his power plays, as it did in 2021 when he hit 39 home runs. He finished in the top 10 in AL MVP voting in 2020 and 2021 so there’s no denying his potential.

    Tampa Bay holds a $10.5 million team option for 2025 ($1 million buyout) and an $11.5 million option ($500,000 buyout) for 2026. The Rays could certainly pick up the option, but if they don’t, Lowe could be a smart high-risk, high-reward type signing this winter.

    Best team fits: Rays, Yankees, Mariners, White Sox, Blue Jays
    Salary comps: Jeff McNeil (4 years, $50M); Brandon Drury (2 years, $17M); Jorge Polanco (5 years, $25.75M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $24 million

    32. Nick Martinez, RHP

    Age: 34
    HT: 6-1 WT: 201
    2024 (Reds) War: 4.0 WAR
    Career: 8.7 WAR
    Agent: RMG Baseball 2024 salary: $14 million

    Nick Martinez continues to improve and should land a three-year contract as a free agent this winter. He’s coming off a career-best year after going 10-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 16 starts and 26 relief appearances. Martinez hopes to become a full-time starter with his next team and he deserves that opportunity. He has posted an ERA below 3.50 in each of the past three seasons.

    Best team fits: Reds, Padres, Tigers, Orioles, Twins, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M); Tyler Anderson (3 years, $39M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $40 million

    33. Charlie Morton, RHP

    Age: 40
    HT: 6-5 WT: 214
    2024 (Braves): 1.1 WAR
    Career: 17.3 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $20 million

    Charlie Morton is Mr. Consistency. In 2024 he reached the 30-starts mark for the sixth straight season. He posted a 4.19 ERA with 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings. He’s weighed retirement in recent offseasons, will turn 41 in November and despite another solid season, the consensus around the Braves is that he will call it a career. But if he decides to return for his 18th major-league season, a one-year contract with Atlanta similar to his recent deals could work for both sides.

    Best team fit: Braves
    Salary comps: Frankie Montas, (1 year, $16M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $20 million

    34. Joc Pederson, OF/DH

    Age: 32
    B: L T: L HT: 6-1 WT: 220
    2024 (Diamondbacks): 2.9 WAR
    Career: 15.1 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $12.5 million

    Joc Pederson embraces his platoon role, excelling against right-handed pitching with an impressive .275/.392/.531 slash line and 22 homers in 407 plate appearances this season with the Diamondbacks. He has a $14 million mutual option for 2025 with a $3 million buyout, and I think it makes sense for him to take the buyout and try to sign a two-year deal on the open market.

    Best team fit: Diamondbacks, Reds, Rockies
    Salary comps: Rhys Hoskins (2 years, $34M); Mitch Garver (2 years, $24M); Justin Turner (1 year, $13M); J.D. Martinez (1 year, $12M); Charlie Blackmon (1 year, $13M

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $26 million


    Carlos Estévez (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)

    35. Carlos Estévez, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-6 WT: 275
    2024 (Angels, Phillies): 2.1 WAR
    Career: 4.8 WAR
    Agent: Premier Talent Sports and Entertainment 2024 salary: $6.75 million

    Carlos Estévez had a strong free-agent walk year, posting a 2.38 ERA with the Angels before being traded at the deadline to Philadelphia, where he put up a 2.57 ERA over 20 games. He finished the season with 26 saves and 0.909 WHIP, but also averaged 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings, the lowest rate of his career.

    Estévez has 82 career saves and will generate plenty of interest from teams looking for high-leverage relievers. Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has said it’s unlikely the club will bring back both Estévez and Jeff Hoffman, who is ranked 43rd on this list.

    Best team fits: Phillies, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Pirates
    Salary comps: Kendall Graveman (3 years, $24M); José Alvarado (3 years, $22M); Joe Jiménez (3 years, $26M); Ryan Pressly (2 years, $30M); Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $33 million

    36. Luis Severino, RHP

    Age: 30
    HT: 6-2 WT: 218
    2024 (Mets): 1.6 WAR
    Career: 13.4 WAR
    Agent: Rep 1 Baseball 2024 salary: $13 million

    Luis Severino had a strong comeback season, making more than 30 starts for the first time since 2018. He went 11-7 with a 3.91 ERA over 31 starts and struck out 161 in 182 innings. The two-time All-Star also was solid in the postseason (3.24 ERA in 16 2/3 innings), which can only increase interest in free agency.

    Best team fits: Mets, Tigers, Orioles, Pirates, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Chris Bassitt (3 years, $63M); Miles Mikolas (3 years, $55.75M); Seth Lugo (3 years, $45M); Zach Eflin (3 years, $40M); Lucas Gioloto (2 years, $38.5M); Marcus Stroman (2 years, $37M); Nathan Eovaldi (2 years, $34M); Reynaldo López, (3 years, $30M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $32 million

    37. Jose Quintana, LHP

    Age: 35
    HT: 6-1 WT: 220
    2024 (Mets): 2.5 WAR
    Career: 30.5
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $13 million

    Jose Quintana was brilliant in his first two starts of this postseason, adding, subtracting and hitting his spots; he allowed no earned runs in 11 combined innings against the Brewers and Phillies.

    The soft-tossing lefty pitched to a 3.75 ERA over 31 starts in the regular season, finishing in the 83rd percentile in overall pitching run value and in the 89th percentile in fastball run value. He has good late movement downward that leads to groundballs, ranking in the 79th percentile in ground-ball rate. Over his last 76 starts across three seasons, he has a combined ERA of under 3.50.

    Best team fits: Mets, Pirates, Tigers, Twins
    Salary comps: Tyler Anderson (3 years, $39M); Tyler Mahle (2 years, $22M); Sean Manaea (2 years, $28M); Michael Wacha (2 years, $32M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $28 million

    38. Blake Treinen, RHP

    Age: 36
    HT: 6-0 WT: 224
    2024 (Dodgers): 1.4 WAR
    Career: 12.4 WAR
    Agent: Apex Baseball 2024 salary: $1 million ($4.5M AAV for two-year, $9M deal)

    After missing most of 2022 and all of 2023 because of a torn capsule in his right shoulder that eventually required surgery, Blake Treinen miraculously returned this season as the dominant high-leverage reliever he was in 2021. His sinker is back to the mid-90s with serious drop, and his sweeper is a wipeout pitch that batters hit just .120 against. He posted a 1.93 ERA in 50 appearances.

    Best team fits: Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Cubs
    Salary comps: Emilio Pagán (2 years, $16M); Wandy Peralta, (2 years, $16.5M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $17 million

    39. Alex Verdugo, LF

    Age: 28
    B: L T: L HT: 6-0 WT: 210
    2024 (Yankees): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 11.8
    Agent: MVP Sports Group 2024 salary: $8.7 million

    Alex Verdugo is well-liked and respected by his teammates, brings high energy to the clubhouse, plays with an edge and is a solid defender in left field. Offensively, he had a down season, slashing just .233/.291/.356. His power is pretty consistent as he has provided between 11 and 13 home runs in the last five full seasons. He plays every day, never complains and is the definition of an average major-league player.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Twins, Athletics, Mariners
    Salary comps: Michael Conforto (2 years, $36M); Mark Canha (2 years, $26.5M); Manuel Margot (2 years, $19M); Hunter Renfroe (2 years, $13M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $26 million

    40. Jose Iglesias, 2B

    Age: 34
    B: R T: R HT: 5-11 WT: 195
    2024 (Mets): 3.1 WAR
    Career: 14.8 WAR
    Agent: MVP Sports 2024 salary: $983,871

    I’ll admit it: I love Jose Iglesias’ song “OMG.” And all I can say is OMG when it comes to his season, which put him in the conversation for NL Comeback Player of the Year, though the award will probably go to Chris Sale.

    After not playing in the majors in 2023, Iglesias signed a minor-league contract with the Mets but was their starting second baseman by the end of year, playing in more than half of their games and slashing an amazing .337/.381/.448 (137 OPS+) with 16 doubles. He impressed with his approach at the plate — going the other way and grinding throughout at-bats — and his elite defense in the middle of the infield. Iglesias would be a good pickup for several teams, but a reunion with the Mets just makes too much sense for all parties.

    Best team fit: Mets
    Salary comps: Brandon Drury (2 years, $17M); Isiah Kiner-Falefa (2 years, $15M); Miguel Rojas (2 years, $11M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $12 million


    Paul Goldschmidt (Gregory Fisher / Imagn Images)

    41. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

    Age: 37
    B: R T: R HT: 6-3 WT: 224
    2024 (Cardinals): 1.3 WAR
    Career: 62.8 WAR
    Agent: Excel Sports Management 2024 salary: $26 million

    Nothing in baseball makes me sadder than to watch superstar players significantly decline. Time is undefeated, but they want to keep playing because they can still contribute.

    In his prime, Paul Goldschmidt was the best first baseman in the sport. Just two years ago he was the NL MVP, leading the league with a .981 OPS. The seven-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove winner and five-time Silver Slugger is obviously no longer at the level. His on-base percentage has plummeted over the past three years, from .404 to .363 to .302.

    He still played more than 150 games this season, which he’s done in nine consecutive full seasons, but perhaps it’s time to reduce that number and try to improve production with more rest and more time as a designated hitter. The Cardinals are not expected to re-sign Goldschmidt, and for the first time in his career, he needs to brace himself for a significant pay cut and a one-year deal.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Mariners, Diamondbacks, Brewers
    Salary comps: Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M); Josh Bell (2 years, $33M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $15 million

    42. Rhys Hoskins, 1B/DH

    Age: 31
    B: R T: R HT: 6-4 WT: 240
    2024 (Brewers): -0.2 WAR
    Career: 11.0 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $16 million

    Rhys Hoskins held his own in his first year back from ACL surgery, providing much-needed power in the middle of the Brewers’ lineup. He slashed .214/.303/.419 with a career-low .722 OPS but did hit 26 homers and drive in 82 runs. I expect him to be a lot better next season, with the benefit of an extra year of recovery for his left knee.

    Hoskins signed a two-year, $34 million deal with Milwaukee last winter and can opt out after this season. He’ll need to sign another short-term contract to try to rebuild his value.

    Best team fits: Brewers, Mariners, Twins
    Salary comps: Anthony Rizzo (2 years, $40M); Josh Bell (2 years, $33M); Mitch Garver (2 years, $24M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $34 million

    43. Jeff Hoffman, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-5 WT: 235
    2024 (Phillies): 2.0 WAR
    Career: 3.5 WAR
    Agent: CAA Sports 2024 salary: $2.2 million

    Jeff Hoffman had the best year of his career, making the All-Star team and tallying a 2.17 ERA and 0.965 WHIP in 68 games. He struck out 89 in 66 1/3 innings (12.1 strikeouts per nine). However, he fared poorly in this postseason, allowing six runs in 1 1/3 innings over three games. The Phillies are unlikely to bring back both Hoffman and Carlos Estévez.

    Best team fits: Phillies, Orioles, Yankees, Red Sox, Royals, Giants
    Salary comps: Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M); Joe Jiménez (3 years, $26M); Kendall Graveman (3 years, $24M); Emilio Pagán (2 years, $16M); Wandy Peralta (2 years, $16.5M); Matt Strahm (2 years, $15M); Chris Martin (2 years, $13.5M)

    Contract prediction: 3 years, $27 million

    44. Matthew Boyd, LHP

    Age: 33
    HT: 6-3 WT: 230
    2024 (Guardians): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 9.9 WAR
    Agent: Boras Corporation 2024 salary: $10 million

    Matthew Boyd really increased his value in the postseason as he logged a 0.77 ERA over three starts (11 2/3 innings). With a deceptive delivery and an arsenal that includes a fastball, changeup and slider, Boyd commands the strike zone well, adding and subtracting with unique shapes and sizes. He underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2023 but now looks healthy with a good mindset.

    Best team fits: Guardians, Tigers, Orioles, Padres, Braves, Red Sox
    Salary comps: Lance Lynn (1 year, $11M); Kyle Gibson (1 year, $13M)

    Contract prediction: 1 year, $10 million

    45. Clay Holmes, RHP

    Age: 31
    HT: 6-5 WT: 245
    2024 (Yankees): 0.7 WAR
    Career: 4.2 WAR
    Agent: Wasserman 2024 salary: $6 million

    Clay Holmes appeared in more than 60 games for the third consecutive season, posting 30 saves before losing the closer job in August to Luke Weaver. However, he rebounded near the end of the season and performed well in high-leverage spots in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. He allowed only one run in his final eight appearances of the regular season and finished with a 3.14 ERA.

    Best team fits: Yankees, Orioles, Red Sox, Royals, Phillies
    Salary comps: Ryan Pressly (2 years, $30M); Taylor Rogers (3 years, $33M); Wandy Peralta (2 years, $16.5M)

    Contract prediction: 2 years, $18.5 million

    (Top image: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic. Photos: Corbin Burnes: G Fiume / Getty Images; Juan Soto: Mary DeCicco / MLB Photos / Getty Images; Pete Alonso: Daniel Shirey / MLB Photos / Getty Images)

    The New York Times

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  • MLB will air local games for Guardians, Brewers and Twins next season

    MLB will air local games for Guardians, Brewers and Twins next season

    Major League Baseball announced Tuesday it will produce and distribute local broadcasts for the Cleveland Guardians, Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins next year. All three teams had contracts with Diamond Sports Group that expired at the end of the regular season.

    The Texas Rangers, whose deal also expired last month, also announced they will no longer be partnering with Diamond. They are assessing their options for next season.

    The addition of the Guardians, Brewers and Twins means MLB will be handling the production and distribution of at least six teams going into 2025.

    MLB took over broadcasts of the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks during the 2023 season and the Colorado Rockies this year.

    Rick Schlesinger, the president of business operations for the Brewers, said he expects more teams could be partnering with MLB by the opening of next season.

    “This has been a long process. It’s a very deliberative process,” he said. “We’ve done this through a lot of work, a lot of analysis. I think this is going to be a huge game changer for us, for our content.”

    By taking over the broadcasts, MLB expects to increase the market reach of its teams by at least 2 million households in each market. The Diamondbacks went from being available in 930,000 households on a regional sports network to 5.6 million homes through a combination of being on local cable systems, satellite and direct-to-consumer streaming.

    “With the media landscape continuing to evolve, Major League Baseball is committed to serving our fans by ensuring they can see their favorite clubs, removing blackouts where we can, and ultimately growing the reach of our games,” Noah Garden, MLB deputy commissioner for business and media, said in a statement.

    The Twins took a public relations hit in Minnesota for cutting their 2024 player payroll coming off a division title and their first postseason series win in 22 years, in light of the reduced rights fee coming from Diamond. They will lose the rights fee altogether with this MLB-produced model, but team president Dave St. Peter said this announcement would not have an effect on player spending for the upcoming season.

    “We’ve spent a tremendous amount of time with Major League Baseball trying to better understand this marketplace, trying to better understand what a model like this will ultimately provide to the team. We also have studied closely what’s happened in San Diego, in Arizona and in Colorado. We’ve gotten comfortable in those economics. They are where they are,” St. Peter said.

    “We do expect that there will be a reduction in local revenue coming to the Twins in 2025. I think that’s a fact. That said, over the long haul we have tremendous confidence in our content and believe, while maybe we’ll take a dip for ’25, that over time the viewership and those economics related to that viewership will increase.”

    Cleveland games were available on approximately 1.45 million households on its regional sports network. That reach is expected to increase 235% to 4.86 million households. Minnesota’s will go up 307% from 1.08 million homes to 4.4 million.

    Schlesinger said the Brewers had 800,000 households that could receive games this past season, but he also expects to see significant growth with the new model.

    “From a fan perspective, it’s great because you’re going to have total access and no blackouts,” he said. “There’s a lot of staffing, a lot of infrastructure, a lot of decisions have to be made, a lot of people to be hired, a lot of sponsors to contact. This is the right time to do this. It’s a good jumping point, platform to make sure when the calendar turns to 2025, we’re already fully immersed in this and that we know when the first game starts, that we’re ready to go and the product’s going to be outstanding.”

    MLB could be taking over more teams as Diamond Sports Group continues to go through bankruptcy proceedings. The nation’s largest owner of regional sports networks could be down to doing only Atlanta Braves games in 2025.

    The operator of the Bally Sports regional networks presented its reorganization plan in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Houston last week. As part of the reorganization, Diamond plans to void the contracts of the Detroit Tigers and Tampa Bay Rays and to attempt to rework the deals of the five franchises that are partial owners of their regional sports networks — the Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Angels, Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals.

    St. Peter said he expects more teams to sign onto the model in the future.

    “Starting to build that direct-to-consumer foundation, which clearly is the future of the way our games will be distributed — it’s time to get on with that and we’re excited about that,” St. Peters said. “Our ownership understands the consequences of that, but I think over time there’s way more upside than short-term downside.”

    A final hearing on Diamond’s reorganization plan is scheduled for Nov. 14. Diamond also has the rights to 13 NBA and eight NHL teams.

    Diamond Sports Group and Sinclair Broadcast Group bought the regional sports networks from The Walt Disney Co. for nearly $10 billion in 2019. Disney was required by the Department of Justice to sell the networks for its acquisition of 21st Century Fox’s film and television assets to be approved.

    ___

    AP sports writers Dave Campbell in Minneapolis and Steve Megargee in Milwaukee contributed to this story.

    ___

    AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

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  • Angels vs Tigers, August 29, 2024: Insights, Betting Odds, and Predictions

    Angels vs Tigers, August 29, 2024: Insights, Betting Odds, and Predictions

    The Angels vs Tigers matchup is set to be a pivotal game as both teams head into Thursday’s showdown with very different momentum. The Los Angeles Angels have been struggling, currently on a seven-game losing streak, while the Detroit Tigers have found their stride, winning six consecutive games. With both teams experiencing contrasting fortunes, this game could have significant implications, especially for the Tigers, who are making a push towards the Wild Card race.

    How to Watch the Angels vs Tigers

    • Date: Thursday, August 29, 2024

    • Time: 1:10 PM ET
    • Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, MI)
    • TV: ESPN, Bally Sports Detroit, DirecTV (channel 663)

    • Streaming: Fubo, MLB.TV
    • Radio options: 97.1 The Ticket

    Angels vs Tigers Odds

    • Moneyline: Tigers -178 | Angels +150

    • Spread: Tigers -1.5 (+115) | Angels +1.5 (-135)
    • Total: Over/Under (9)
      • Tigers: Under (-110)
      • Angels: Over (-110)

    Odds found at Ceasars Sportsbook.

    Predictions

    The Tigers are the favorites in this matchup, and for good reason. Detroit has been on a roll, winning nine of their last eleven games, including the first two games in this series against the Angels. Detroit’s Keider Montero has shown improvements in recent outings, and with the Angels struggling both offensively and defensively, the Tigers are poised to continue their winning streak. On the other side, Los Angeles will be relying on Jack Kochanowicz, who has had a challenging season with a 6.08 ERA.

    Score Prediction: Tigers 5, Angels 2

    Keider Montero Angels vs Tigers

    More Insights

    • Angels Struggles: The Angels have been in a slump, with a 2-13 record over their last 15 games, and have struggled to score runs, managing just two in each of their last two games against the Tigers. Their pitching staff has also been inconsistent, with a 4.58 ERA on the season.
    • Tigers on a Hot Streak: The Tigers have not only won six straight games but have also covered the run line in eight of their last nine games against AL West opponents. Detroit’s pitching has been solid, boasting a 3.79 ERA and a .237 opponent batting average. Key players like Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter have been instrumental in the Tigers’ success, with Greene recording hits in each of his last eight appearances at Comerica Park.

    • Player Props: Luis Rengifo of the Angels has been a bright spot, recording hits in his last 10 appearances against the Tigers, while Tigers’ Wenceel Perez has scored in each of his last six day games against teams with a losing record.

    As the Angels vs Tigers series continues, the Tigers will look to keep their momentum going and capitalize on the Angels’ struggles. With the way both teams are trending, Detroit is in a prime position to secure another win and strengthen their Wild Card bid.

    Jeff Bilbrey

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  • Angels vs Tigers, August 28, 2024: Viewing Details, Betting Odds, Predictions, and Insights

    Angels vs Tigers, August 28, 2024: Viewing Details, Betting Odds, Predictions, and Insights

    Angels vs Tigers clash in a midweek matchup as the Detroit Tigers look to continue their hot streak against the struggling Los Angeles Angels. The Tigers, riding a five-game winning streak, aim to solidify their position in the AL Central, while the Angels hope to snap their six-game losing skid and salvage some pride in what has been a disappointing season

    How to Watch the Angels vs Tigers

    • Date: Wednesday, August 28, 2024

    • Time: 6:40 PM ET
    • Location: Comerica Park (Detroit, MI)
    • TV: ESPN, Bally Sports Detroit, DirecTV (channel 663)

    • Streaming: Fubo, MLB.TV
    • Radio options: 97.1 The Ticket

    Angels vs Tigers Odds

    • Moneyline: Tigers -160 | Angels +135

    • Spread: Tigers -1.5 (+122) | Angels +1.5 (-145)
    • Total: Over/Under (9)
      • Tigers: Under (-120)
      • Angels: Over (+100)

    • Odds found at Ceasars Sportsbook

    Predictions

    The Tigers’ momentum and home-field advantage give them a significant edge in this matchup. With the Angels’ recent struggles and the Tigers’ improved performance, Detroit is poised to extend their winning streak. The Tigers’ pitching staff has been particularly effective, while the Angels’ offense has sputtered.

    Score Prediction: Tigers 5, Angels 2

    More Insights

    The Tigers have shown remarkable improvement, winning 8 of their last 10 games and positioning themselves as potential wild-card contenders. Their pitching staff boasts a solid 3.82 ERA and 1.19 WHIP, significantly outperforming the Angels’ 4.59 ERA and 1.32 WHIP.

    Riley Greene and Kerry Carpenter have been key contributors to the Tigers’ recent success, with both players hitting home runs in their previous game against the Angels. The Tigers’ offense has been more productive overall, scoring 568 runs compared to the Angels’ 517.

    Riley Greene Angels vs Tigers

    For the Angels, Zach Neto has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season, batting .256 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. However, the team’s overall offensive struggles, coupled with their pitching woes, have led to a dismal 2-12 record in their last 14 games.

    The pitching matchup favors the Tigers, with Mason Englert (1-0, 5.95 ERA) expected to open for Detroit, likely followed by Kenta Maeda. The Angels will counter with Griffin Canning (4-11, 5.18 ERA), who has struggled with consistency throughout the season. Given the current form of both teams and the pitching matchup, the Tigers are well-positioned to secure another victory in this series.

    Jeff Bilbrey

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