Three potential offseason targets for the Los Angeles Angels

Will Shohei Ohtani leave as a free agent? Will Mike Trout ask to be traded? Will Arte Moreno revisit selling the franchise? There are major questions facing the Los Angeles Angels this offseason following yet another disappointing season.

Regardless of how those things shake out, the Angels will have holes to fill on yet another roster that failed to meet expectations.

Rhys Hoskins, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies

Hoskins lost the 2023 season to injury, tearing his ACL during a game in spring training, but he could be one of the more attractive bats on the free-agent market this winter. It's possible he returns to the Phillies on a new contract, but with the club having success filling the hole he left, Philly may let him test the open market first. That could push Hoskins elsewhere next season. 

Over six seasons with the Phillies, Hoskins batted .242/.353/.492 with 148 home runs. He was also responsible for some of the club's biggest shots in the 2022 postseason run that took Philadelphia to the World Series. The Angels could use a bat at first base and DH, potentially working Hoskins and 2023 first-round pick Nolan Schanuel into some kind of platoon. 

Brian Anderson, 3B/RF, Milwaukee Brewers

Signing someone like Anderson isn't going to be viewed as a big move, but it might be the smart one for an Angels team that should be looking at complementary pieces. A lifetime .251/.336/.403 hitter with the Marlins and Brewers, Anderson won't knock anyone's socks off, but he's been largely consistent. Aside from Trout, the Angels have sorely lacked consistency in recent years. Reaching free agency for the first time, Anderson could likely be had on a reasonable deal. 

Part of Anderson's appeal is the defensive versatility. He would give the Angels some depth in the outfield in either corner and some insurance at third base should (when?) Anthony Rendon get injured once again. 

Jack Flaherty, RHP, Baltimore Orioles

Harvard-Westlake High School is located an hour north of Anaheim, and a pair of the school's alumni will be on the free-agent market this winter (a third from the same HS class, Max Fried, is locked up with the Braves). The Angels brought Lucas Giolito back home this past trade deadline, only to give up and let him go via waivers a month later after they struggled. Could they look at the third option from the group instead to address their pitching need? 

Flaherty spent his entire career with the Cardinals before being dealt to Baltimore at the deadline. The results with the Orioles have been inconsistent. Flaherty has been hit hard and has allowed a high rate of home runs, but he still figures to be one of the more appealing starters on the open market since he won't turn 28 until October.