As the deadline for teams to make decisions regarding contract tenders arrived on Friday, the Los Angeles Angels ultimately chose to retain every one of their players who were eligible for salary arbitration. While that indicated a certain level of commitment to much of their current roster, the organization still made a couple of noteworthy moves that raised some eyebrows.
The club officially non-tendered two pre-arbitration players — outfielder Gustavo Campero and catcher Sebastián Rivero — effectively removing them from the 40-man roster and allowing them to explore opportunities elsewhere.
The Angels were facing multiple decisions heading into the non-tender deadline, with six players eligible to go through the arbitration process. Those six names include left-handed reliever Brock Burke, outfielder Jo Adell, left-handed starter Reid Detmers, right-hander José Soriano, catcher Logan O’Hoppe, and shortstop Zach Neto.
Each of those players represents a meaningful piece of the Angels’ roster construction going into the new season, whether as established contributors or developing talents the organization still believes in. By tendering contracts to all six, the front office made it clear that it plans to keep them in the fold and continue building around them to some degree in the near future.
However, it was the decision to part ways with Campero that drew the most attention. On the surface, the move seemed somewhat unexpected, particularly given recent changes made to the Angels’ outfield. Earlier in the offseason, the club traded left fielder Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles, which created an opening in the outfield depth chart.
Because of that transaction, many observers believed that Campero, who is 28 years old, would have at least an opportunity to provide depth or compete for a backup role. His ability to play multiple outfield positions made him, in theory, a logical candidate to stick around as a supplementary piece on the roster.
Despite those expectations, Campero’s offensive struggles ultimately worked against him. Over the last two seasons in the Major Leagues, he simply failed to produce at the plate at a level that warranted continued investment. Across 41 total games, Campero produced a slash line of .202 batting average, .272 on-base percentage, and .346 slugging percentage. While he managed to hit four home runs and drive in 14 runs during that span, those numbers were not strong enough to counterbalance the overall lack of consistency in his hitting. He also recorded seven stolen bases, showing off some speed and athleticism, but that alone was not enough to secure his roster spot.
Unfortunately, Campero’s 2025 season was also cut short in dramatic and painful fashion. On August 11, he suffered a severe ankle injury while attempting to rob a home run in the right-field corner. In a desperate effort to make a highlight-reel catch at the fence, Campero collided awkwardly with the wall, resulting in what was described by many as a gruesome injury.
The incident not only ended his season but also raised serious questions about his durability moving forward. Recovering from such a traumatic injury can be difficult physically and mentally, and although Campero did make an effort to return to action this offseason, the results were far from encouraging.
After rehabbing, Campero participated in the Dominican Winter League, suiting up for Toros del Este. This was seen as an important opportunity for him to prove he was healthy and capable of contributing again.
Unfortunately, his performance remained disappointing. In 11 games played during the winter season, Campero produced a mere .111 batting average, along with one home run and two RBIs. Those numbers did little to improve his standing with the Angels, and it became clear that his chances of staying on the roster were rapidly shrinking. Ultimately, the Angels determined that it was best to move in a different direction rather than continue holding onto a player who was struggling both on the stat sheet and coming off a major injury.
When examining the Angels’ current outfield situation, the decision becomes easier to understand from a roster construction standpoint. The team still features Mike Trout, who remains the face of the franchise and one of the most talented players in baseball when healthy. Joining him in the outfield mix is Jorge Soler, who brings power and veteran experience, as well as Bryce Teodosio and Jo Adell, both of whom offer a combination of youth, athleticism, and potential upside.
Additionally, the Angels have internal depth options such as Matthew Lugo and Kyren Paris, who can step in at multiple positions if needed. With those names already occupying or competing for outfield roles, Campero became increasingly expendable, especially considering his recent struggles.
Still, the Angels are not entirely satisfied with their current outfield makeup. One of their main needs this offseason is a true center fielder, ideally a left-handed hitter who can provide balance to the lineup. While Trout is capable of covering center field, the organization has been more cautious with him in recent years due to injuries and may prefer to keep him in a corner outfield or designated hitter role more often going forward. This increases the urgency to find someone who can anchor the middle of the outfield on a regular basis.
One name that has surfaced in internal discussions is Nelson Rada, who is currently ranked as the No. 7 overall prospect in the Angels’ farm system according to MLB Pipeline. Rada has shown promise and potential in the minor leagues, but the organization appears to believe that he still needs more time to develop before being ready to take on a consistent role at the Major League level.
As a result, the Angels are expected to look outside the organization — via free agency or trade — to acquire a more established center fielder who can fill that gap in the short term.
Meanwhile, Sebastián Rivero, the other non-tendered player, also found himself on the outside looking in. Rivero was pressed into service late in the season when both Logan O’Hoppe and veteran catcher Travis d’Arnaud were sidelined due to concussions. Given the circumstances, Rivero stepped into a difficult situation and handled the role as best he could.
However, his limited offensive production left much to be desired. In 11 games, the 27-year-old catcher hit just .182, collecting two doubles and two RBIs. While he provided emergency depth behind the plate, his performance did not make a strong case for a longer-term role with the organization.
With O’Hoppe expected to continue his growth as the team’s primary catcher and d’Arnaud offering veteran stability — assuming he remains healthy — the Angels appear comfortable moving on from Rivero in favor of other depth options available either internally or on the open market.
Catching depth is always important, but teams must balance that need with roster flexibility, and Rivero simply did not show enough during his time on the field to justify keeping him on the 40-man roster.
In summary, the Angels’ decisions ahead of the non-tender deadline reflect a combination of loyalty to their core players and a willingness to part ways with those who have not lived up to expectations. By tendering contracts to all six arbitration-eligible players, the organization reaffirmed its belief in their talents and their roles moving forward.
At the same time, the non-tenders of Campero and Rivero highlight the tough reality of professional baseball, where opportunity and performance must intersect at the right time to earn continued support from a team.
As the offseason continues, the Angels are expected to remain active in their search for upgrades, most notably in center field. With a mix of established stars, developing young players, and potential new additions on the horizon, the roster is still very much in a state of transition. These early decisions are just the beginning of what could be a transformative offseason for the franchise as it looks to rebound and become competitive once again.
Be the first to comment