Angels Owner Stan Kroenke Faces Roster Freeze on Dec. 1
Interim GM John Mozeliak must execute trades and free agency deals before owners lock out players, with key roster decisions due in November.
By Nadia Singh ·
The Los Angeles Angels must complete all major league roster moves before December 1, when a lockout is expected to freeze player movement for the 2027 season.
Interim general manager John Mozeliak currently oversees the team while the front office searches for a new head of baseball operations. Incoming owner Stan Kroenke is leading that search, and the selected executive will hire the next manager. Mozeliak remains in charge of day-to-day operations until the new regime takes over.
The timeline for the next two weeks is tight. Free agency opens on Monday at 2 p.m. Pacific Time, five days after the World Series ended. Trades can begin immediately, but no free agent contracts can be finalized until that specific time.
The first decision Mozeliak faces involves right-hander Robert Stephenson. The Angels hold a $2.5 million option with no buyout. Stephenson underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2024 and a second elbow surgery in April 2026. He is not expected to pitch again until mid-2027. Stephenson has pitched 10 innings in three seasons with the Angels and has earned $33 million. The team is likely to decline the option, making him a free agent.
Other players becoming free agents include catcher Travis d'Arnaud and infielders Adam Frazier and Yoan Moncada. The Angels must navigate these expiring contracts while planning for the new season.
The next major date on the calendar is November 9, when the GM Meetings begin in Las Vegas. Historically, these meetings are for groundwork, but the looming lockout may drive more activity. Mozeliak could also use the event to interview candidates for the general manager role.
On November 17, teams must decide which minor leaguers to add to their 40-man rosters to protect them from the Rule 5 draft. A Rule 5 draft may not occur due to the lockout, but teams might not know for sure by that date. Outfielder Nelson Rada is the most notable minor leaguer who requires protection. The Angels have enough roster space to accommodate the necessary additions.
By November 20, the team must decide which of its 11 arbitration-eligible players to keep. The Angels are expected to retain shortstop Zach Neto, first baseman Nolan Schanuel, and starting pitchers Reid Detmers and Grayson Rodriguez. Relievers Ben Joyce, Sam Bachman, and Tayler Saucedo are also likely to be kept. In contrast, the club has not committed to keeping outfielders Jose Siri and Josh Lowe, catcher Tyler Heineman, or infielder Oswald Peraza.
Declining arbitration players will send them to the free agent market, creating a final window of activity before the December 1 lockout. Once the lockout begins, the Angels can hire a manager and coaches, but the major league roster will be frozen until the next season starts.
