Angels Infield Options 2026: Internal Candidates To Watch

This article breaks down the Los Angeles Angels’ quiet offseason. It takes a look at payroll moves, bullpen additions, and a murky infield picture that could shape the club’s 2026 trajectory.

With financial questions hanging over everything and their broadcast plans in flux, the Angels seem to be juggling short-term depth with hopes for long-term development, especially at second base.

Angels offseason strategy: payroll moves, bullpen upgrades, and depth bets

The biggest financial move? The club turned Rendon’s $38 million final year into five deferred payments. This softens the payroll hit now and keeps their long-term flexibility alive.

Meanwhile, the Angels chased bullpen stability. They added Jordan Romano, Drew Pomeranz, Kirby Yates, and Brent Suter, hoping these arms can anchor late-inning leverage when games get tight.

The front office also took some low-cost swings through trades and development. They brought in Alek Manoah, Grayson Rodriguez, and Josh Lowe as affordable upside plays. Yoan Moncada re-signed to cover third, giving the roster a bit of veteran depth.

All of this unfolds against a backdrop of financial uncertainty. The team parted ways with Main Street Sports, and a possible shift of broadcasts to MLB could limit infield upgrades. That might force a more frugal, development-driven approach to patching up the middle infield.

Infield outlook: second base remains the biggest internal question

Second base is the big question for the Angels. Christian Moore, their 2024 first-round pick, enters 2026 as the likely starter after Luis Rengifo left in free agency.

Moore’s 2025 debut didn’t go smoothly. In 184 plate appearances, he hit .198/.284/.370, about 18% below league average by wRC+. He struck out 33.7% of the time, showing he’s still adjusting to Major League pitching. Defensive metrics didn’t do him any favors either, raising concerns about whether Moore can settle in as an everyday second baseman.

Vaughn Grissom, who came over from Boston, owns a career .255/.309/.346 line with an 82 wRC+ in 350 MLB plate appearances. He spent 2025 in Triple-A. He’s out of options, so he’ll need to out-hit Moore to grab playing time in 2026. That sets up a real competition for spring training.

Oswald Peraza has a good glove and a strong arm, but his offense hasn’t shown up yet—just a .189/.260/.282 MLB line (54 wRC+) and high strikeout rates. Right now, he’s more of a defensive or utility piece. Denzer Guzman and Kyren Paris are lower-tier depth options; both still have options and are more likely to start the year in the minors. Trey Mancini and Jeimer Candelario signed minor-league deals and will be in big-league camp, but neither looks like a long-term answer at second.

Bullpen depth and external bets: where the money is being spent

Outside the infield, the Angels put their money into a more stable bullpen. They brought in proven relievers to bridge the gap between a shaky rotation and late-game situations.

The bullpen overhaul aims to create better leverage opportunities when the offense struggles. Veteran arms and a couple of high-upside performers give the Angels a more flexible bullpen map than they’ve had in a while.

Key bullpen additions and depth players

• Jordan Romano — He’s your classic closer, the guy you want on the mound in the ninth. When the game’s tight, Romano can shut things down.
• Drew Pomeranz — Here’s a veteran who can eat up innings when things get hectic. Pomeranz gives the bullpen some needed flexibility.
• Kirby Yates — Yates brings another righty arm with late-inning experience. He’s got that closer’s mentality and can handle pressure.
• Brent Suter — Suter offers versatility and can cover a lot of situations. If there’s a jam, he’s probably up for it.
• Low-cost upside bets — Manoah, Rodriguez, and Lowe signed on as affordable swingmen. If any of them find their groove—maybe more velocity, better control, or just figuring out big-league hitters—they could surprise everyone.

The Angels face some financial limits, especially with possible broadcast shakeups on the horizon. That probably means big infield upgrades won’t happen soon.

If things don’t work out at second base, though, there’s still a chance for a roster shakeup before or during spring training.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Looking At The Angels’ Infield Options