The Angels introduced that they declined to tender a contract to left-hander Patrick Sandoval, in addition to infielder Eric Wagaman and outfielders Jordyn Adams and Bryce Teodosio.

Sandoval, 28, was projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $5.9MM. Nonetheless, he’s not a lock to pitch in 2025 after present process Tommy John surgical procedure in late June. Within the occasion that he doesn’t pitch in any respect, he’d doubtless have been ticketed for a repeat of that $5.9MM wage in 2026. By tendering him a contract with that sort of anticipated payday, the Halos would’ve successfully been working the danger of committing $11.8MM over two seasons simply to get Sandoval’s 2026 season, when he’d be on an innings restrict after that UCL reconstruction. He’d been slated to succeed in free company within the 2026-27 offseason.

Whereas the well being outlook is unsure, Sandoval is clearly a top quality arm when wholesome. He ought to have the ability to discover a modest two-year deal that’ll pay him to rehab in yr one and hopefully pitch in yr two of the contract. Simply days earlier than his harm, MLBTR’s Steve Adams took a glance on the similarities between Sandoval and oft-cited commerce candidate Jesus Luzardo, noting that the 2 are fairly comparable from a statistical standpoint.

Courting again to 2021, Sandoval sports activities a 3.80 ERA, 22.6% strikeout fee and 10.2% stroll fee in 460 innings of labor. His command has by no means been nice, however that stroll fee is inflated by an anomalous 11.3% mark in 2023. Sandoval’s stroll fee within the different three seasons has sat at 9.3% — not good, however not egregiously poor. The lefty sits 93-94 mph along with his heater, misses bats at a roughly common stage and piles up grounders at a robust 47.5% clip. He’s not a star, however Sandoval is a high quality third or fourth starter for a aggressive membership.

Extra to return.