With young core intact, Minasian 'really excited where this thing's going'

ANAHEIM -- Angels general manager Perry Minasian held his annual end-of-season press conference at Angel Stadium on Monday, vowing that things are going to get better after a difficult season that saw them drop a franchise-worst 99 games.

Minasian, who signed a two-year extension in late August, stressed the importance of player development and continuity going forward, as the Angels will keep their entire coaching staff intact, including manager Ron Washington. Much like Washington did all season, he pointed to the club’s young core of Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Nolan Schanuel, Jose Soriano, Jack Kochanowicz and Ben Joyce as a reason for optimism.

“I know this is a tough year,” Minasian said. “It's a frustrating year for all of us. I'll be the first one to say that. But big picture, I'm really excited where this thing's going. I've been in situations like this in other organizations where we’ve had tough seasons. But you can usually point to a season where things change, not necessarily in the win-loss column, but where players took huge leaps and caused a jump in wins and a jump to contention. We needed a young core to build around and we finally have it.”

Minasian pointed to the D-backs going from 52 wins in 2021 to a World Series berth in 2023, and the Royals going from 56 wins in ’23 to winning 86 games this year as examples of clubs who turned things around in a hurry because they built around young players they developed.

He believes the Angels are in position to be aggressive this offseason, both via free agency and the trade market, to improve the club. He still hasn’t heard from owner Arte Moreno on just how high the payroll will be for next season, but it is expected to increase after they cut back on payroll heading into ’24. Adding to their overall depth is a top priority, as they’re likely to add to the infield, outfield and starting rotation this offseason.

“There's been significant money spent on the payroll, it comes back to the players we're spending on,” Minasian said. “And we need our best players to play. They know that. With that being said, we definitely need more players.”

As Minasian pointed out, health was again an issue for the Angels this season, especially with veterans Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon limited to just 29 and 57 games, respectively, despite making a combined $75.6 million.

The Angels are trying to formulate a plan to keep Trout on the field more in 2025 -- which could mean spending time in the outfield corners and DH’ing more often -- but Rendon is likely headed to a bench role despite being owed $38.5 million in both ’25 and ‘26, as he hasn’t been productive when healthy and went homerless in ’24.

“We need them to be better,” Minasian said. “It’s not a lack of effort. It just is what it is, but they understand how important they are, and from a payroll standpoint, they take up a significant chunk of the payroll. So when your best players aren’t playing, it makes it more difficult.”

Minasian praised Washington and the coaches for the way they handled the season and for the way they helped the club’s inexperienced players grow. Neto and Schanuel both got better as the season went along, while others made big leaps in their development, such as Jo Adell, Soriano, Joyce and Kochanowicz.

“He was perfect for me,” Minasian said of Washington. “Obviously, we want to win more games, but as far as what my vision for what that spot needed to be, it was about creating accountability in that room. And all the teaching he did.”

Minasian, however, knows it hasn’t been easy for Angels fans, especially because the club hasn’t made the postseason since 2014 -- the longest active streak in baseball -- and haven’t even had a winning record since ’15. But the club never really reset, and relied on youth during that stretch like they did in ’24, and Minasian believes they’ll only be better because of it.

“For our fans, the ones that have been following us over the last three years and gone through what we've gone through, I wouldn't jump off the bandwagon now,” Minasian said. “This team is going to improve. It’s going to be an exciting team to watch going forward.”