The Los Angeles Angels have had a pretty unusual and surprising offseason. It started with how they picked their new manager. Most people thought they would choose Torii Hunter. Some believed Albert Pujols would get the job. But the Angels went with Kurt Suzuki instead. This choice feels like it might last only one year.
A writer explained that many fans expected Pujols or Hunter. The team did choose a former player with no coaching background. It just happened to be someone almost no one predicted. Suzuki seems like a cheaper and easier option for the front office to work with. His one year contract also shows the team is not fully committed. It leaves a lot of space for another change next year.
Angels signs Huascar Ynoa!
Then on Saturday the Angels made another move. They signed Huascar Ynoa to a minor league contract. He once won a World Series and is known for throwing very hard. He is twenty seven and has a career earned run average of 5.22 in a little over one hundred twenty-two innings. He has not played in the major leagues since twenty twenty two because he had Tommy John surgery. He spent all of 2023 recovering. When he returned in twenty twenty four he had more problems with his elbow and could not pitch much.
Ynoa and Suzuki have crossed paths before. Ynoa was in the Braves minor league system when Suzuki was with the big league club. That past connection might have helped Ynoa get this chance with the Angels.
Before all the injuries Ynoa was a strong and exciting pitcher for the Braves. He has not been the same since. The Angels are still trying to make a big splash this offseason even after trading Taylor Ward.
