The Los Angeles Angels have quietly made another move to shore up their organizational depth, bringing back outfielder on a minor league agreement. The transaction appeared on the activity log connected to Campero’s official MLB profile, confirming that the 28-year-old will once again be part of the Angels’ system heading into the next phase of the offseason. While this isn’t a headline-grabbing acquisition, it is a practical one, reflecting how teams build stability at the margins of their rosters as they prepare for an unpredictable 162-game schedule.
Campero’s path to this point has been anything but direct. Originally signed by the New York Yankees out of Colombia in 2017, he spent the early years of his professional career trying to carve out a niche within their minor league system.
That opportunity changed in the minor league portion of the 2020 Rule 5 Draft, when the Angels selected him, effectively opening a new chapter. By 2021, he had officially joined the Angels organization, and since then, he has remained within their structure, developing through several levels of the farm system.
Over the past few years, Campero steadily worked his way up the ladder. His journey culminated in a brief appearance in the majors during the 2024 season, what is often referred to as a “cup of coffee” — just a small stretch of time with the big league club that offered a glimpse into the highest level of professional baseball. Even though his role was limited, simply reaching the major leagues was a milestone in itself and served as a sign that the organization valued his progress and effort.
In both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Campero filled a modest but important role: reserve outfielder. These kinds of players rarely attract much attention, but they are essential to the daily grind of a long baseball season.
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Injuries, slumps, rest days, and tactical decisions often require teams to reach deeper into their benches, and Campero was one of those pieces who provided the Angels with flexibility when needed. Across 41 games and 114 plate appearances during that span, he posted a combined slash line of .202/.272/.346. Those numbers aren’t eye-popping by any means, and they help explain why the Angels ultimately chose to non-tender him earlier this month, briefly removing him from the roster picture.
However, baseball front offices understand the importance of depth better than anyone. Losing a player on paper does not always mean that the relationship is permanently over. In many cases, it simply signals a shift in contract structure or role. By bringing Campero back on a minor league deal, the Angels get to retain his familiarity with the organization, coaching staff, and team culture, all without the pressure of a major league roster spot. It’s a low-risk move with potential hidden value.
The timing of this signing also connects to a much larger development in the Angels’ outfield situation. Earlier in the offseason, Los Angeles made a significant decision to trade Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. While that move strengthened their pitching outlook, it also removed a key piece from their outfield mix, resulting in some real uncertainty about how the defensive alignment will shape up next season.
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As things stand, Jo Adell, Jorge Soler, and Mike Trout are projected to handle a combination of corner outfield roles and designated hitter duties. On paper, that trio provides plenty of power potential and name recognition.
Trout, when healthy, is still one of the most dangerous and respected players in baseball. Soler brings serious home run capability, and Adell is coming off a breakthrough campaign in which he finally produced an above-average offensive season by wRC+ standards. That said, even promising combinations come with questions and vulnerabilities.
The most obvious gap in the current structure is in center field. If the season were to begin tomorrow, the primary internal options for that position would be Bryce Teodosio and Kyren Paris. Both players have intriguing tools, but neither has fully established himself as an everyday, reliable major league center fielder over an extended period. That makes center field the shakiest area in the Angels’ current outfield outlook.
Because of that uncertainty, the front office is widely expected to explore external additions. The free agent market provides several possible answers, with players such as Cody Bellinger and Cedric Mullins emerging as particularly interesting fits. Both bring strong defensive ability in center and have enough offensive upside to substantially improve the lineup. Signing one of them would instantly bring more stability to the outfield and reduce pressure on younger or less-proven options.
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Even if the Angels succeed in adding a proven center fielder from outside the organization, depth will remain an issue. Baseball history has shown time and again that the season rarely goes according to the ideal plan drawn up in December or January.
Injuries are perhaps the biggest variable of all, and unfortunately for the Angels, both Trout and Soler have dealt with persistent health concerns in recent seasons. Trout’s career has been impacted by multiple trips to the injured list, and Soler also endured physical setbacks throughout the 2025 campaign. Given those realities, it is difficult to realistically project either of them as everyday players who will be available for close to 162 games.
Adell, on the other hand, has stayed relatively healthy, which is a hopeful sign for the organization. However, his 2025 season was the first time he truly produced at an above-average level over a meaningful stretch. While that progress is encouraging, baseball players do not always follow a smooth upward trajectory. Regression is always a possibility, especially for someone who is still proving consistency at the major league level. If his production dips at the same time that injuries strike other parts of the outfield, the Angels could quickly find themselves scrambling for answers.
This is where a player like Campero becomes relevant again. While he has not demonstrated sustained offensive success against big league pitching, his performance at the Triple-A level certainly suggests untapped potential.
Over two seasons at that level, he compiled an impressive .311/.394/.440 slash line, showing an ability to get on base and contribute solid extra-base power against advanced minor league competition. That track record keeps him on the radar as a viable depth piece, someone who can be called upon if the team needs reinforcements.
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Campero, along with Teodosio, represents the type of organizational insurance that often goes unnoticed until it is suddenly needed. Having familiar, serviceable options in the system allows the club to weather storms without rushing top prospects or making desperate decisions. While neither Campero nor Teodosio projects as an impact star at this stage, their presence creates a safety net, which is a critical component of any successful team-building strategy.
One additional wrinkle in the Angels’ planning is the balance of left-handed and right-handed bats in the outfield. Currently, Adell, Trout, and Soler all bat from the right side. Campero and Teodosio are switch-hitters, which offers a bit more flexibility, but the Angels still lack a clear left-handed complement that can be trusted for everyday duty in the outfield. That imbalance makes it even more likely that the front office will place added emphasis on pursuing a left-handed hitting outfielder as the offseason continues.
In that context, Campero’s return isn’t just a simple reunion; it’s part of a broader puzzle. The Angels are attempting to rebuild depth, cover potential weaknesses, and maintain flexibility in a highly competitive American League environment. Re-signing a player who knows their system, has shown offensive ability at Triple-A, and can fill multiple roles if needed is a logical step in that process.
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While it’s unlikely that Campero will enter spring training with a guaranteed spot on the major league roster, his signing gives him the opportunity to compete once again. A strong showing in camp or at Triple-A could put him right back in the conversation should the Angels deal with injuries or underperformance in the early stages of the season.
In the grand scheme of the offseason, this move may seem minor, but championship-caliber teams are often built through dozens of decisions just like this one. Depth, familiarity, and preparedness can end up making the difference when adversity strikes. For now, Gustavo Campero returns to the organization where he has spent the past several years, hoping that another opportunity will arise and that the next time he is called upon, he will be ready to seize it.
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