LOS ANGELES, CA — While the Dodgers continue to celebrate their back-to-back World Series wins and begin to improve their club for a run at a three-peat, something is going on 31 miles down the I-5 freeway in Anaheim. That being said, significant changes are happening with the Los Angeles Angels. A new manager in Kurt Suzuki, a former 16-year MLB catcher, has been signed to a one-year contract.
General manager Perry Minasian has wasted no time in hiring a coaching staff that includes Mike Maddux, a brilliant pitching coach with great success in the game; bench coach John Gibbons, who previously managed the Toronto Blue Jays (2004–2008, 2013–2018); and first base coach and outfield instructor Adam Eaton.
From 2023-2025, John Gibbons, the newest bench coach for the Angels, was the bench coach for the New York Mets – Image Credit: George Napolitano/Latino Sports
The Angels can look no further than those 31 miles to the north for a few players who have become available in free agency, who can be a key to putting more games in the win column in 2026.
Kiké Hernández, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Miguel Rojas, from Los Teques, Venezuela, who are both coming off of back-to-back World Series Championships with the Dodgers, would be an excellent fit for them in a utility role.
Coming off two consecutive World Series titles together, Kiké Hernández and Miguel Rojas are now both free agents – Image Credit: Emma Sharon/Latino Sports
Either of these two would be a significant boost to any club seeking to have a positive influence on its young players. They are both proven winners.
There is a good chance that the Dodgers will not re-sign them, as they need room on their 40-man roster for potential acquisitions this winter, such as free agents Kyle Tucker and Edwin Díaz.
With the Dodgers going back-to-back, reports have surfaced that LA is interested in signing Edwin Díaz – Image Credit: Simon Lindenblatt/Latino Sports
The Halos can also look to Canada and make a significant upgrade at second base by signing Bo Bichette. The thought of him and Zack Neto as the middle infielders is scary.
Both are power hitters who can drive in runs, reminiscent of Derek Jeter and Dominican Republic’s Robinson Canó.
Zach Neto and pending free agent Bo Bichette would make quite the duo up the middle and at the plate for the Angels – Image Credit: Francisco Rodriguez and Emma Sharon/Latino Sports
To show you how serious they are, they just acquired six-five right-handed starter, Grayson Rodriguez, from Baltimore in exchange for their left-field power hitter, Taylor Ward (36 home runs & 103 RBI in 2025) who is a free agent after the 2026 season. The Angels needed another good righty in their rotation, and Rodriguez will fit right in.
Fans may not like the trade, but as my former boss, Tom TBone Giordano, would say, “If you want filet mignon, you have to give up filet mignon,” and they need pitching.
One thing that is certain is that the Angels appear determined to have a winning season in 2026 and build a team that can be a future postseason contender. It will take some effort to attract free agents and hard work in negotiating trades. Something GM Perry Minasian is very capable of doing.
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