Angels Face Roster Rush Before Lockout

The Los Angeles Angels must complete their offseason roster moves before December 1. Owners are expected to lock out players on that date, freezing all player movement.

Interim general manager John Mozeliak is currently managing the process. He is assisting incoming owner Stan Kroenke in searching for a new head of baseball operations. That new hire will eventually select the next manager. Mozeliak continues to oversee daily roster decisions in the interim.

The team faces a compressed timeline for these actions. Trades can occur immediately following the end of the World Series. Free agent contracts can be signed starting Monday at 2 p.m. PT. This date marks the fifth day after the World Series concluded.

The Angels face an immediate decision regarding right-hander Robert Stephenson. They hold a $2.5 million option on his contract with no buyout clause. This option was triggered by his first elbow surgery in 2024. Stephenson underwent a second Tommy John procedure in April. He will not be able to pitch until mid-2027.

The organization likely will decline the option to save money. Stephenson has pitched only 10 innings in three seasons with the Angels while earning $33 million. If the team passes on the option, Stephenson becomes a free agent. Catcher Travis d’Arnaud and infielders Adam Frazier and Yoán Moncada also become free agents.

The next major deadline arrives on November 9 for the GM Meetings in Las Vegas. Executives and agents typically use this time to prepare for the rest of the winter. The impending lockout may make this year's event more active. Mozeliak may use the meetings to interview candidates for the general manager position.

Teams must decide which minor leaguers to place on the 40-man roster by November 17. This move protects players from the Rule 5 draft. There may be no Rule 5 draft this year due to the lockout. There was none during the previous lockout. Teams might not know the schedule by November 17. Leaving a player unprotected is a risk.

Outfielder Nelson Rada is the most notable Angel due for 40-man roster protection. The team has enough space to add the necessary players. On November 20, teams must decide which arbitration-eligible players to keep. The Angels have 11 players in this category.

The club will retain shortstop Zach Neto, first baseman Nolan Schanuel, and pitchers Reid Detmers and Grayson Rodriguez. Relievers Ben Joyce, Sam Bachman, and Tayler Saucedo are also likely to stay. Outfielders José Siri and Josh Lowe, catcher Tyler Heineman, and infielder Oswald Peraza are eligible for arbitration. Their futures are uncertain.

The non-tender deadline will release additional players into free agency. This will create a final period of activity before the lockout begins. After December 1, the Angels can hire a manager and coaches. They can also add front office staff. The major league roster will remain frozen until the lockout ends.