The Los Angeles Angels are making a push to elevate their roster and potentially acquire star player Pete Alonso during his free agency. Alonso's free agency has been slower than expected, especially after he rejected a significant seven-year, $158 million offer from the New York Mets last year. With the Mets opting to sign new players instead of retaining Alonso, the Angels see a golden opportunity.

In their offseason strategy, the Angels have already fortified their lineup by acquiring All-Star slugger Jorge Soler and infielder Scott Kingery, along with several key signings including pitcher Yusei Kikuchi. Despite a disappointing record of 99 losses last season, the Angels are targeting Alonso as a critical piece to enhance their offensive production, especially alongside Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon.

Alonso’s impressive track record includes hitting 226 home runs and 586 RBIs in just six seasons, making him a coveted asset for any team looking to boost their power at the plate. Discussions of a potential four-year, $100 million deal have surfaced, positioning the Angels as a frontrunner for his services.

This analysis focuses on several MLB players who are generating buzz in the upcoming draft season, featuring insights on their performance and potential. Notable mentions include Jorge Soler, who, with an ADP of 222, is expected to thrive batting cleanup for the Los Angeles Angels. His move to a full-time DH role could see him challenge 100 RBIs, leveraging his previous prowess of 48 homers in 2019. Yusei Kikuchi, now with the Houston Astros, has shown remarkable improvement since leveraging his slider, projecting him as a top-40 pitcher. For deeper leagues, Pedro Leon’s ADP of 745 presents a risk/reward opportunity as he competes for playing time in the Astros outfield.

Other players of interest are Spencer Arrighetti, whose rookie season showcased a strong strikeout rate, while Shea Langeliers from the Oakland Athletics is poised for a breakout season with potential Tier 1 catcher stats. Andres Munoz is highlighted as a top-3 closer, benefiting from the absence of competition for saves in Seattle. Lastly, Evan Carter and Kumar Rocker are promising young talents, with Carter's ADP at 288 and Rocker's projected to rise after a successful return from injury.

The Los Angeles Angels had an eventful start to the offseason, making significant acquisitions to enhance their roster. Following the conclusion of the World Series, General Manager Perry Minasian swiftly signed notable players including Jorge Soler, Kyle Hendricks, Travis d'Arnaud, and Kevin Newman. The highlight of these moves was the acquisition of left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi just before Thanksgiving, marking a focus on strengthening the pitching lineup.

Despite these efforts, the Angels have since experienced a quieter period, with only minor league signings taking place. MLB.com analyst Thomas Harrigan has suggested that Nick Pivetta, a right-handed pitcher who recently declined a qualifying offer from the Boston Red Sox, could be a valuable addition to the Angels. His potential signing, however, comes with the cost of forfeiting a draft pick and a portion of their international bonus pool.

Pivetta's 2023 performance included a 4.14 ERA with a career-high strikeout-to-walk ratio, making him an intriguing prospect for the Angels' rotation that currently features Kikuchi, Tyler Anderson, and Reid Detmers among others. With the offseason still ongoing, the Angels aim to fortify their pitching lineup further, as they position themselves for the upcoming season.

Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno is actively seeking to enhance the team's roster for the 2025 MLB season, with reports indicating interest in free agent Pete Alonso. According to MLB insider Jon Heyman, the Angels are in discussions regarding Alonso, but there is a discrepancy in contract length expectations between the two parties.

Alonso, who recently became a free agent after six seasons with the New York Mets, is a highly sought-after player in a slow-moving free agent market. Following a disappointing season for the Angels, which marked the worst in franchise history, the team is eager to add an All-Star caliber player to their lineup. However, acquiring Alonso would necessitate a positional shift for Nolan Schanuel, likely moving him to left field.

Schanuel's rapid ascent from a first-round draft pick to the majors was marked by a strong performance in 2023, boasting a .365 batting average. Despite this, the Angels' management is looking to bolster their offensive power, with Heyman suggesting they might consider another player, Santander, as a viable option.

Alonso, 30, previously turned down a lucrative seven-year, $158 million offer, which has not yielded the results he anticipated. Following a subpar offensive season, he recorded a .240 batting average and a career-low OPS of .788, alongside 34 home runs and 88 RBIs. Although the Angels have made moves to improve their roster, including acquiring Jorge Soler from the Atlanta Braves, the consensus is that Alonso's caliber remains unmatched. Despite the interest from the Angels, predictions lean towards Alonso returning to the Mets as negotiations continue.

The Miami Marlins' brief postseason appearance in 2023 has quickly faded into disappointment as the team undergoes a significant overhaul. Following the departure of general manager Kim Ng, the Marlins have seen key players like Jorge Soler and Luis Arráez leave, while their roster has been significantly depleted through trades and free agency.

Despite some promising young talent, the Marlins face a bleak future with minimal financial commitments and a projected payroll that ranks among the lowest in MLB. The franchise's lack of direction raises concerns about their competitiveness, with fears of potentially challenging historical records for poor performance looming over the 2025 season.