Los Angeles Angels are seriously at a crossroads at the moment. They have some decisive arbitration decisions that could make or break them in the future. Getting ready for the 2025 season: contract management and fine-tuning the roster are paramount. One of the biggest tasks? Trying to tell second-year players like Taylor Ward and Jo Adell that they are integral to the team’s future success. After a heart-breaking season, when there was no playoff, the team is looking at saving money and considering trades to beef up their roster. So, it goes beyond arbitration decisions only between the two players. It’s part of an all-encompassing layout of a greater plan by the team for rebuilding after the loss of Shohei Ohtani.

Ohtani’s lavish deal with the Dodgers came at the cost of creating a large hole in the team. Now, what the team does with Ward and Adell might be most critical. These questions aren’t just about next year; they’re more like setting the tone for how the Angels build their team in the future.

Taylor Ward’s Contract and Trade Speculations

Taylor Ward was originally anticipated to sign a contract valued at approximately $9 to $10 million. However, he agreed to a more affordable $7.825 million deal. In 2024, Ward had an impressive season, hitting 25 home runs a career high, and becoming a significant part of the Angels’ lineup. His solid performance and a relatively cheap contract made him an attractive trade candidate for teams like the Royals, Pirates, and Guardians in MLB.

There is speculation that the Angels may hold on to Ward for the 2025 season, given his affordable contract and the team’s interest in evaluating his long-term value. As Mike Frisch explained, “The fact that, that’s what they agreed to with Taylor Ward means the Angels presented it, and he accepted it,” suggesting that the team might be taking a more cautious approach with Ward’s future. His status as a “Super Two” player also means the Angels will have a fourth arbitration season in 2026, offering them more flexibility with his contract.

Jo Adell also signed a one-year deal worth $2.1 million for his first arbitration season. After a rough start to the season, Adell showed significant improvement, particularly in his batting mechanics, finishing the year with a .248/.320/.451 slash line. His strikeout rate decreased after adjusting his swing, showcasing his growth potential.

While Adell’s potential is still a work in progress, his affordable contract and the possibility of him staying with the team until 2027 make him an asset for the Angels’ future. “I think his trade value is probably higher right now because of the contract,” Jon Frisch noted, reflecting the team’s ability to retain him while maximizing his development.

Angels’ Financial Decisions and Shohei Ohtani’s Legacy

The financial decisions of the Angels are closely related to the legacy of Shohei Ohtani. Though the Angels could not trade Ohtani against the market value, their focus has shifted to building a core from players already on their squad, like Ward and Adell.

One commented, “This encourages Halos to stick with him,” when an analyst described what the Angels might put in their coffers to help their rivals maintain a market edge while they rebuild. It amounts to whether the Angels do the perfect job by how they bargain through the contracts of players like Ward and Adell.

In the long-term, the negotiability of all moves toward maximization of the roster’s base and the successful trade potential of Ward and the growth of Adell will determine whether they are highly competent in catching elite spots in the competitive world of MLB.