Angels’ Fire Sell: Taylor Ward, Luis Rengifo Among Players Available in Trade Talks

The Los Angeles Angels still have work to do this offseason, or at least so they say. They have been among the most active teams in MLB this offseason, making additions to their rotation and infield, but still certainly needing to make a push with their bullpen and outfield if they want to be legitimate postseason contenders in 2025.

Jorge Soler is their only outfield addition, but it remains to be seen how much he’d actually play in the outfield as opposed to being a DH. But additions aren’t the only types of changes the Angels could be looking to make, as they might take advantage of the trade market in the opposite direction.

If they do, it’s expected that players like Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo would be among the first to be dealt given their value league-wide, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

For teams in search of an outfield bat, the Mets’ Starling Marte, Cleveland’s Lane Thomas, San Francisco’s Mike Yastrzemski and the Los Angeles Angels’ Taylor Ward are there to be had. Other options include Guardians first baseman Josh Naylor — whose availability, along with that of San Francisco’s LaMonte Wade Jr. and Texas’ Nathaniel Lowe, further muddies a crowded first-base free agent market — Angels utilityman Luis Rengifo and Minnesota catcher Christian Vazquez.

Ward and Rengifo are thrown in with a bunch of names that could be dealt this offseason. And that has been the case for those two players for the better part of two years now. But with the Angels trying a new philosophy this offseason, the trade market for them could look a little different.

The last two years, the Angels were happy to walk away with prospects and nothing more if they felt they got a good package for either of those two players. This year, wanting to contend, they would only trade either player if they felt an equal or better option was in the works.

This is the type of stuff that general manager Perry Minasian hinted at during Winter Meetings, saying that he laid the groundwork for potential future deals. But if no better option becomes available, keeping Ward and Rengifo is likely the best course of action for a team that wants to compete.

Angels were reportedly close to trading Ward

The Angels went into this week’s Winter Meetings with the prospect that they were remaining aggressive to improve their roster for the 2025 season. The four-day annual event came and went, and the Angels did not make any moves. However, Minasian believes he laid the groundwork for later moves this offseason.

One of those potential moves is reportedly in the outfield. On Tuesday, the second-to-last day of the Winter Meetings, it seemed the Angels were close on dealing an unnamed outfielder.

The rumor was reported by Mark Feinsand of MLB Network, who theorized on who the outfielder might be based on what he’s heard.