7 questions for the Angels to answer this offseason

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ANAHEIM -- The Angels are coming off a difficult season, but both ownership and management have stated that they plan to make additions this offseason to contend in 2025 and beyond.

The Halos have built a young core and will look to supplement it this offseason, and they are expected to increase their payroll and add pieces this winter. They’re not likely to make any huge splashes in free agency, but they’ll be active.

With that in mind, here’s an offseason FAQ:

Which players are set to become free agents?
Left-handed reliever Matt Moore, infielder Brandon Drury, outfielder Kevin Pillar and right-handed reliever Hunter Strickland

Are any of them likely to receive qualifying offers?
No.

Who might be a non-tender candidate, and when does the club have to make that decision?
Left-hander José Suarez and right-hander Griffin Canning are both coming off tough seasons but are still likely to be tendered contracts to remain with the organization. Neither is due for a significant raise, and the Angels can always use more pitching depth. The deadline is Nov. 22.

Who needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft, and is there a crunch for roster spots?
Outfield prospect Matthew Lugo, who was acquired in the trade that sent Luis García to the Red Sox at the Trade Deadline, will need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason. Los Angeles also has decisions to make with pitchers Brett Kerry, Eric Torres, Nick Jones, Mason Erla, Ryan Costeiu, Kenyon Yovan and Hayden Seig, but the club shouldn’t have any issues finding room on its 40-man roster. The Halos cleared some roster space by outrighting right-hander Carson Fulmer, and infielders Charles Leblanc, Jack López and Michael Stefanic off the 40-man roster on Thursday.

What kind of help do the Angels need, and will they be active in free agency? Who might they target?
The Angels need all the help they can get after setting the single-season franchise record for losses, and they are likely to target starting pitching, an infielder or two and an outfielder. The team could use at least one veteran starter to add to its young mix, and it needs insurance in both the infield and outfield because of the injury concerns Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon bring.

Trout could serve as designated hitter more often next year to stay healthy, and Rendon isn’t expected to start at third anymore. Adding a third baseman would make sense as well as someone who can handle center field when Trout is at DH. The Halos could also could bring in a veteran backup catcher to help mentor both Logan O’Hoppe and the club’s inexperienced pitchers.

The Angels are expected to raise their payroll compared to 2024, but it won’t reach 2023 levels, team owner Arte Moreno said. Some top starting pitchers are expected to be available soon via free agency such as Corbin Burnes, Max Fried, Blake Snell and Jack Flaherty, and top position players include center fielder Cody Bellinger, third baseman Alex Bregman and middle infielder Ha-Seong Kim.

Other starting pitchers who are set to become free agents include Shane Bieber, Yusei Kikuchi, Nathan Eovaldi, Luis Severino and Sean Manaea. The Angels aren't in the market for outfielder Juan Soto and will likely be priced out of the top-tier pitching talent as they’re not looking for another big contract to join Trout and Rendon’s deals.

Who might they be willing to trade?
If the Halos dip into their farm system to add Major League talent, nobody is untouchable except No. 1 prospect Caden Dana (the No. 68 prospect in baseball) and No. 2 prospect Christian Moore (No. 71). Los Angeles is also not likely to trade newly acquired prospects such as right-handers George Klassen (No. 3), Ryan Johnson (No. 5) or Chris Cortez (No. 10); or lefty Sam Aldegheri (No. 8).

On their Major League roster, lefty Tyler Anderson and infielder Luis Rengifo, who are both set to be free agents after the season, will likely garner interest, as will outfielder Taylor Ward, who is under team control for two more years. But Anderson, Rengifo and Ward are key players for the club, so the Angels would have to get a haul of young talent to make a move. It’s more likely they keep that trio heading into next year.

Lefty Reid Detmers is also a potential change-of-scenery candidate after his rough season, but he has elite stuff and has had success in the past, so the organization is wary of giving up on him too soon, as he’s still just 25 years old.