Angels sign INF Kevin Newman

ANAHEIM – The Angels today agreed to a one-year, $2.5 million contract with INF Kevin Newman. The contract also includes a Club option for the 2026 season ($2.5 million or a $250,000 buyout). In a corresponding 40-man roster move, C Matt Thaiss has been designated for assignment.

Newman, 31, played in 111 games for Arizona during the 2024 season and batted .278 (80/288) with 41 runs scored, 17 doubles, one triple, three home runs, 28 RBI, and eight stolen bases. Against left-handed pitching, Newman batted .282 (35/124) with 12 extra-base hits and a .722 OPS. From May 1 to August 30, he played in 82 games and slashed .305/.339/.385 with 32 runs scored, 15 doubles, and 15 RBI. In the field, Newman appeared at five defensive positions, with the bulk of his games played at shortstop (55) and second base (44), but he also made appearances at first base (10), third base (6) and left field (1).

A native of Poway, CA, Newman was originally selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (19th overall) of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft out of University of Arizona. He made his Major League debut with the Pirates on Aug. 16, 2018 vs. Chicago (N.L.). In 2021, Newman played 148 games (132 as a shortstop) and led Major League shortstops with a .993 fielding percentage. In 616 career regular season games, he has compiled a .262 (539/2058) career average with 100 doubles, 12 triples, 26 home runs and 199 RBI across seven seasons with the Pirates (2018-22), Reds (2023) and Diamondbacks (2024).