3 Angels Who Will Not Be Back in Anaheim in 2024

Changes are coming to the Halos this offseason.

The Los Angeles Angels are entering an offseason that could end up being a transition for the organization. For the last few years, they have tried to build around their two superstars, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, but it hasn’t panned out at all.

The team hasn’t reached the postseason since 2014, and things aren’t looking up at all. Ohtani could end up leaving this offseason, and if he does, the team would really be in trouble.

So, the Halos have some big choices to make involving their entire roster. It could look very different from this past season, and that could be a good thing for them.

Here are three members of the Angels who aren’t likely to return to the team in 2024:

1. Eduardo Escobar, made $10 million in 2023

Escobar was acquired from the New York Mets during the season to help bring some life to the Angels offense, but he did exactly the opposite. He really struggled once he got to the Halos, and it backfired for them. Escobar finished the 2023 season hitting .226 with just six home runs and 31 runs batted in.

He has a club option for $9 million next season, and the team is almost assured to decline that. They can use that money to put toward a more productive player.

2. Randal Grichuk, made $10.4 million in 2023

Grichuk was brought back to the Angels at the trade deadline but then was a part of the group of players put on waivers just a few weeks later. He was one of the only ones not to be claimed, but the fact that they placed him there suggests they aren't interested in retaining him.

Grichuk struggled mightily with the Angels, hitting just .216 over 54 games with the team. They should be able to find a better-suited player for 2024, so he is all but gone.

3. Shohei Ohtani, made $30 million in 2023

I saved the best for last, but Ohtani is all but gone from the Halos, too. He has been patient with them and has given his best years to this organization. But he is now heading into a year where he won’t pitch because of another torn UCL, and he can’t continue to sit around while the team tries to put together a contending roster.

Ohtani is better off leaving the Angels to go to an organization that can give him a good chance to win the World Series each season, or at the very least, allow him to play in the postseason. It’s a shame that he hasn’t come close to making the playoffs since coming to the big leagues, but that could change next season depending on where he goes.