The Los Angeles Angels just made a move that has fans scratching their heads and wondering if the team is truly serious about contending. In a surprising turn of events, the Angels have signed former Cy Young finalist Alek Manoah to a one-year, $1.95 million deal—a decision that feels more like a gamble than a game-changer. But here's where it gets controversial: is this a calculated risk or a desperate attempt to patch up a struggling rotation? Let’s dive in.
The seeds of Manoah’s arrival in Anaheim were sown back in September when the Toronto Blue Jays designated him for assignment (DFA’ed) after he missed the entire 2025 season due to UCL surgery. For context, Manoah was once a rising star, boasting an impressive 2022 season with nearly 200 innings pitched, 180 strikeouts, and a 2.24 ERA. But his fall from grace was swift and dramatic, culminating in his demotion and refusal to report to Triple-A in 2023. This is the part most people miss: Manoah’s talent is undeniable, but his recent history raises serious questions about his reliability and mindset.
Angels GM Perry Minasian, formerly Toronto’s director of pro scouting, is no stranger to Manoah’s potential. While they didn’t overlap—Manoah was drafted two years after Minasian left the Blue Jays—this signing feels like a classic Minasian move: a low-risk, high-reward play. However, the Braves initially claimed Manoah off waivers, giving Angels fans a brief sigh of relief. That relief was short-lived, as Atlanta non-tendered him in late November, paving the way for the Angels to swoop in.
The Angels’ rotation rebuild is clearly underway, with the recent trade for Grayson Rodriguez and now the Manoah signing. But with this caliber of player, it’s hard not to wonder if they’re aiming too low. Both Manoah and Rodriguez were once highly touted prospects, but both have been sidelined by injuries and underperformance. At least Rodriguez doesn’t carry the same baggage as Manoah, whose 2023 antics left a sour taste in many mouths.
There’s a silver lining: Manoah showed glimpses of his old self during his rehab starts in Triple-A this year, posting a 2.97 ERA over 33 1/3 innings. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the steep decline since his peak. Can he truly recapture that magic? And even if he does, is it enough to elevate a rotation that currently boasts an okay No. 1 starter in Yusei Kikuchi and a handful of injury-prone, high-ERA pitchers?
Here’s the real question: Are the Angels building a contender or just treading water? Minasian might call it a day on pitching acquisitions after this, leaving fans with a rotation that feels more like a patchwork quilt than a championship lineup. Nice deal, Perry—but is it enough? Let us know what you think in the comments. Is this a smart move, or are the Angels setting themselves up for another disappointing season?
