The Houston Astros name longtime Cardinals assistant Randy Flores as their new general manager, ending a search that featured ten candidates, including a recent interview with Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus. Ausmus, a former Astros teammate and ex‑manager of the Tigers and Angels, remains a possible manager candidate now that Flores must hire a field boss before the December 1 lockout. Earlier reports linked Brewers assistant GM Matt Kleine and former Astros assistant Oz Ocampo to the role, but negotiations fell through. Flores’ first priority will be hiring a manager, with names like Albert Pujols, Yadier Molina or former Astro Morgan Ensberg mentioned as possibilities.
Pinstripe Alley breaks down the 2026 Yankees’ season by Win Probability Added, highlighting the most game‑changing moments. The top positive plays are José Caballero’s walk‑off double on April 15 vs. the Angels (+0.663 WPA), Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s ninth‑inning go‑ahead homer on July 10 at Washington (+0.645 WPA), and Amed Rosario’s eighth‑inning, two‑run shot on April 7 vs. Oakland (+0.526 WPA). On the flip side, the worst swings include Coby Mayo’s go‑ahead homer for Baltimore on May 11 (‑0.481 WPA) and Tyrone Taylor’s game‑tying blast against New York on May 17 (‑0.483 WPA). The article pairs these stats with vivid game recaps, letting fans see which memories match the data.
Sammy Peralta officially elects free agency after the Angels outrighted him to Triple-A Salt Lake, where he posted a 6.65 ERA over 23 innings in 2026, striking out 20.5% of batters but allowing a .417 BABIP and four homers. Left‑hander Peralta, 28, has a career 5.64 ERA in 68⅔ innings and throws mid‑80s fastballs. Catcher Sebastián Rivero, also outrighted, appeared in 57 games for Anaheim, hitting .245 with modest power. Both players are now free agents and expected to seek minor‑league depth roles with new clubs.
The Los Angeles Angels close 2026 with their first 100‑loss season and face a massive overhaul. New owner Stan Kroenke—who now also owns the Rams, Nuggets, Avalanche and Arsenal—is set to take over, while interim baseball chief John Mozeliak guides the front office after GM Perry Minasian’s June firing. Contracts include Mike Trout’s $141.8 M deal through 2030 and a $64 M payroll commitment for 2027, with several arbitration‑eligible players and non‑tender candidates like Jose Siri and Josh Lowe. The club will also hire a new manager after Kurt Suzuki’s one‑year stint, making the 2027 direction uncertain but potentially long‑term focused.
The article opens with a nostalgic look at Game 4 of the 2001 World Series, highlighting Derek Jeter’s walk‑off homer that earned him the “Mr. November” nickname. It then shifts to current MLB news: the Houston Astros have hired longtime Cardinals exec Randy Flores as their new GM, tasked with revitalizing a team that won the AL West on a .500 record. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Angels remain without a GM—still searching amid an ownership transfer and a looming December 1 lockout, while also needing a new manager. Finally, the piece warns that teams will scramble this weekend to finalize 40‑man rosters, file DFAs, claim waivers and issue qualifying offers before the transactions freeze and free agency open on Monday at 4 p.m. CT.
The Los Angeles Angels selected the contract of left-handed pitcher Nicolo Pinazzi, preventing him from entering MiLB free agency on Friday. The post Angels Make Decision on Minor-League Star’s Impending Free Agency appeared first on LA Sports Report.
The Angels add left‑hander Nicolò Pinazzi to their roster, declining a club option on right‑hander Robert Stephenson. The 27‑year‑old Italian, signed by the Reds in 2020, posted a stellar 0.84 ERA over 64 innings in 48 appearances across four levels in 2026, striking out 38.9% of batters and inducing ground balls on 60.8% of batted balls. His mid‑90s fastball and dominant cutter/slider have drawn attention from FanGraphs. With limited reliever depth and a possible rebuild, Pinazzi could see significant major‑league action while shuttling between levels.
The Los Angeles Angels denied right-handed relief pitcher Robert Stephenson's option for the 2027 season following his injury troubles. The post Angels Deny Option, Cut Ties With Oft-Injured Relief Pitcher appeared first on LA Sports Report.
The MLBPA confirms right‑hander Robert Stephenson is a free agent after the Los Angeles Angels decline his $2.5 million 2027 club option. The former Tampa Bay reliever, who posted a 2.35 ERA and a 42.9% strikeout rate in 38 1/3 innings in 2023, signed a three‑year, $33 million deal with the Angels in January 2024. However, Tommy John surgery, ongoing elbow and biceps issues limited him to just 10 innings across 2025 and kept him out for the entire 2024 and 2026 seasons. At 34, Stephenson faces minor‑league offers or possible retirement.
The Arizona Diamondbacks are targeting a controllable starter via trade as they trim payroll after a 4.28 ERA rotation in 2026. GM Mike Hazen favors a deal over free agency, eyeing arms like Mariners' Bryce Miller, Angels' Reid Detmers, or Yankees' Will Warren, while possibly packaging outfield prospects Jordan Lawlar or Ryan Waldschmidt. While Eduardo Rodriguez (2.89 ERA, 3.2 fWAR) and Corbin Burnes remain, the futures of free‑agent Michael Soroka and struggling Zac Gallen are uncertain. Adding a strikeout‑focused pitcher could bolster a rotation that still includes Merrill Kelly and Ryne Nelson.
On October 30, 2026 Pinstripe Alley honors Yankees leadoff legend Mickey Rivers, the 1977 #17 who dazzled with speed. Rivers’ three‑plus seasons (1976‑79) helped New York win two World Series and three AL pennants, leading the league with 70 steals in 1975 – an Angels record. A Miami native, he shone in junior college, was drafted four times, and after a stint with the Angels broke out with a .285 average, 11 triples (1974) and 13 triples (1975). The Yankees acquired him in a 1975 trade that also brought Willie Randolph and Ed Figueroa, giving Billy Martin another All‑Star center fielder. The piece recaps his fast‑ball career and lasting fan‑favorite status.
The New York Mets claimed Los Angeles Angels infielder Kyren Paris off of waivers Thursday, ending his seven-year stint in the organization. The post Angels Lose Promising Utility Man on Waivers to Open Offseason appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Los Angeles Angels left‑hander Reid Detmers tops MLB Trade Rumors’ list of the 40 most coveted offseason candidates. The 2020 No. 10 overall pick threw a career‑year, posting a 3.36 ERA with 211 strikeouts over 185 innings (28.5% K%, 6.5% BB%) and becoming the first Angel lefty to reach 200 Ks since 1999. With two years of arbitration left and a projected $7.5 M salary in 2027, Detmers is a high‑end No. 2/3 starter priced at roughly $20 M through 2028. The Cubs, White Sox and Cardinals have shown interest, but no deal materialized after the trade deadline.
MLB Trade Rumors kicks off the 2026‑27 offseason with a ranked list of the top 40 trade candidates as the market reopens on August 3. The guide highlights pitchers Reid Detmers (Angels, projected $7.5 M, 3.36 ERA, 185 IP, 28.5% K%) and Drew Rasmussen (Rays, $20 M club option for ’27, 2.67 ERA, 172 IP, 26% K%) as prime targets, noting Detmers' recent career season and Rasmussen’s back‑to‑back elite performance. It notes expanding trade activity due to weak free‑agent classes, potential lockout pressure, and the limited rebuilding clubs that could spark “baseball trades.” Arbitration projections are from Matt Swartz, and player control windows assume no CBA service‑time changes.
The Los Angeles Angels decided to move on from manager Kurt Suzuki last week after just one season in charge. Now, the Angels can finally move on from Anthony Rendon after seven disastrous years with the team. Rendon officially entered free agency on Thursday as his seven-year, $245 million contract is finally off the Angels’ […]
The post Anthony Rendon enters free agency as nightmare Angels contract finally ends appeared first on ClutchPoints .
The Mets claim 25‑year‑old infielder/outfielder Kyren Paris off waivers from the Angels, while designating outfielder Cristian Pache for assignment. Paris, a former second‑round pick, posted a .147/.238/.272 line with seven homers and 11 steals in 263 MLB plate appearances, but impressed in the minors last season with a .274/.384/.458 slash, 13 homers and 24 steals across Double‑A and Triple‑A. He faces a final option year and could be waived again before Opening Day. Pache, a depth‑first prospect, struggled with a .181/.242/.273 career line and is likely to clear waivers and seek minor‑league free agency. The Mets must cut three more players from their 40‑man roster by Monday.
The Los Angeles Angels placed left‑hander Sammy Peralta and catcher Sebastián Rivero on outright waivers on Thursday, and both cleared, sending them to Triple‑A Salt Lake. Peralta, 28, posted a 6.65 ERA over 23 innings in 2026, striking out 20.5% of batters but yielding a .417 BABIP and four homers. Rivero, 27, logged a .245/.286/.283 line in 57 plate appearances this season after limited MLB action. Both are now eligible for free agency and will likely seek minor‑league depth roles elsewhere.
With the 2026 MLB season now over, the Los Angeles Angels finally shed third baseman Anthony Rendon's contract from their books. The post Angels Finally Get Historically Bad Contract Off Their Books appeared first on LA Sports Report.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer proposes a bold off‑season deal: the Los Angeles Angels would trade shortstop Zach Neto to the Dodgers for left‑hander Justin Wrobleski, right‑hander Roki Sasaki and catcher Dalton Rushing. Neto posted a .239/.330/.436 line with 27 homers, 24 steals and 5.2 bWAR in 2026, while Wrobleski, an All‑Star with a 10‑2, 2.69 ERA before the All‑Star break, and the controllable Sasaki and Rushing offer the Angels depth. The trade could appeal amid the Angels’ pending $3.9 billion Kroenke takeover and the Dodgers’ desire to refresh their roster after a NLCS sweep.
The 2026 "Ranking the Rockies" feature highlights reliever Sammy Peralta's brief stint with Colorado. Drafted by the White Sox in 2019, the 28‑year‑old made two rocky appearances for the Rockies, posting a 10.13 ERA in 2.2 innings, including a rough debut opener on May 19 against the Texas Rangers and a June 11 outing where he surrendered a solo homer to Carson Kelly but struck out Dansby Swanson and Ian Happ. After being optioned and designated for assignment on June 21, Peralta cleared waivers, signed a minor‑league deal with the Angels, and finished the season with a 6.20 ERA over 14 games. He now pitches for the Estrellas Orientales in the Dominican League.
The New York Mets are eyeing a roster overhaul for 2027, with pitcher Tarik Skubal topping their priority list, according to SNY insider Chelsea Janes. While Skubal remains a target, the Mets may also chase another high‑profile starter such as Joe Ryan, Nick Martinez, Drew Rasmussen, or George Kirby. Meanwhile, GM David Stearns has scouted Japanese infielder Teruaki Sato in person, joining the Yankees, Angels, Red Sox and Phillies in the chase. After a disappointing 74‑88 finish in 2026, the club promoted Andy Green to full‑time manager and aims to build around Juan Soto and Bo Bichette.
In the latest MLB Trade Rumors Podcast (Oct. 28, 2026), host Darragh McDonald and analyst Steve Adams break down the Angels’ leadership void—no manager and no front‑office chief—and the Yankees’ decision to extend GM Brian Cashman while keeping Aaron Boone in a lame‑duck role. They also field listener questions about the Giants potentially trading prospects for starters like Tarik Skubal, the Cardinals’ needs and Jordan Montgomery, and the looming CBA pay cuts. The episode is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other platforms.
The Yankees are weighing a potential five‑year, $180 million deal for Hanshin Tigers third‑baseman Teruaki Sato, who posted a .306 average with 39 homers and a Central League Triple Crown in 2026. Former GM Jim Bowden predicts the price could spark a bidding war with the Red Sox, Phillies and Angels, but the Yankees must assess whether his power and defense will translate to MLB, especially at third base. Including posting fees, the total outlay could exceed $208 million. At 28, Sato could fill New York’s long‑standing third‑base void without sacrificing prospects, yet the risk of reduced production and defensive struggles remains high.
The Braves’ off‑season priorities shift to the outfield, where five free agents stand out. Randy Arozarena, fresh off a 26‑HR, .865 OPS season and 12 postseason homers, would demand north of $100 million—a sum Atlanta’s owner may reject. Seiya Suzuki, a 32‑year‑old with an .823 OPS over five years in Chicago, faces a similar price tag. More affordable options include Jake Bauers, who hit 26 homers with an .874 OPS and earned NLCS MVP, but Milwaukee likely won’t let him go. Veteran Ian Happ, a consistent .800‑OPS, Gold‑Glove player, offers solid production at a lower cost with a multi‑year deal. Finally, Taylor Ward, a former 36‑HR slugger now at .670 OPS, could serve as a platoon partner for Mike Yastrzemski. The article weighs each prospect against the Braves’ budget and roster needs.
In this off‑season recap, South Side Sox writer highlights catcher Chase Meidroth's defensive brilliance across five standout plays from April to August 2026. From a diving stop and throw that turned Nick Kurtz’s grounder into an out on April 17 against the Athletics, to a clutch ninth‑inning catch sealing a 2‑1 win over the Braves on June 10, Meidroth showcases why a Gold Glove is in reach. The piece also notes his hard‑nosed throws against the Angels, Royals and Guardians, proving he never eases up—even with a 22‑1 lead.