Angels non-tender Sandoval, three others ahead of deadline

November 23rd, 2024

ANAHEIM -- The Angels non-tendered four players before Friday’s deadline to tender contracts for the 2025 season, including left-hander .

It was a bit of a surprise decision for the Angels, as Sandoval is one of the club’s longest-tenured players, but he’s coming off Tommy John surgery in late June and is expected to miss most of next season. The Angels also non-tendered former top outfield prospect Jordyn Adams, third baseman Eric Wagaman and outfielder Bryce Teodosio to put their 40-man roster at 38 players.

Sandoval, 28, was eligible for arbitration for a third time and was due to earn a slight raise on his $5,025,000 salary in 2024. This move saves the Angels money, as they can now renegotiate with Sandoval on a lesser deal or spend that money elsewhere. Sandoval is now a free agent and could look for a two-year deal because he’s set to miss so much time next year.

He posted a 5.08 ERA with 81 strikeouts, 35 walks and eight homers allowed in 79 2/3 innings this season. But he tore his ulnar collateral ligament in his 16th start of the year in late June and underwent UCL surgery and had a brace inserted. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native has a career 4.01 ERA in six seasons with the Angels, with his best campaign coming in 2022, when he had a 2.91 ERA in 148 2/3 innings.

The Angels also decided to non-tender Adams and Wagaman after they were both designated for assignment earlier this week to make room for prospects Matthew Lugo and Jack Dashwood on the 40-man roster. Adams, 25, was the club’s first-round Draft pick in 2018 but struggled offensively in his brief stints in the Majors the past two seasons, hitting .176 with 28 strikeouts in 28 games.

Wagaman, 27, hit .250 with two homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games in his first taste of the Majors after seven seasons in the Minors. He was a feel-good story last year, but was expendable after the Angels added Scott Kingery and Kevin Newman this offseason.

Teodosio, 25, was also taken off the 40-man roster after he batted .083 in five games with the club last year. The Angels already have a crowded outfield situation with Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Jorge Soler, Jo Adell and Mickey Moniak on their roster.