Angels 2026 Season Preview

The Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout (27) first baseman Nolan Schanuel (18) and center fielder Jorge Soler (12) celebrate three runs scored during a Spring Training Game against The Los Angeles Dodgers, March 22nd, 2026 in Anaheim, California. After reaching the full decade mark of consecutive losing seasons, perception is that the Los Angeles Angels will make it 11 straight years following the conclusion of the 2026 campaign. It was a lackluster winter for the Angels, who made minimal financial additions to a club that had multiple holes to fill.

Paraphrased comments in the likes of "we need upside" from executive staff, followed by "winning is not a top five priority for the fans" from ownership leave very little to believe this team will be competitive in 2026, whether from a playoff chase, division hopeful or even winning-record perspective. Their largest financial move of the winter came in a one-year, $5 million contract given to 39-year-old reliever Kirby Yates. Tied for their fourth largest financial commitments over the winter were the buyout of former prospect Evan White and the signing bonus for 17-year-old international signee Jeyson Horton, both of which came at a $2 million expense.

If you ask the team itself, there is motivation to not have such claims and prove the world wrong, which is commonplace for any baseball player in a similar position to that of the Angels young core, which includes a first-year manager on a one-year contract. It may not be all doom-and-gloom, but the clubhouse’s motivation to prove people wrong will have to come to fruition to prove as much. In this season’s preview from The Sporting Tribune and the staff writers who cover the Los Angeles Angels, we will break down each area of the clubhouse and what to anticipate from each member, while ending with season projections.

This preview is a collective effort from the Angels writing staff from The Sporting Tribune - Jack Haslett, Jack Janes, Thomas Murray and Taylor Blake Ward. Rotation - Thomas Murray, Lead Angels Analyst for The Sporting Tribune The Angels starting rotation could be one of their biggest strengths or weaknesses, and it all depends on two things. Can they stay healthy?