The Offseason Is Already Moving: The Angels’ Job Opens, And The Qualifying Offer Hits A Record $23.15 Million

The World Series has not started, and the offseason has. The Los Angeles Angels have let manager Kurt Suzuki go after one season — a 62–100 finish, the worst record in the American League — in an announcement carried this week. Suzuki was hired in October 2025 on a one-year deal and has been offered a special-assistant role. John Mozeliak, the Angels’ new front-office head, will pick the next manager — the club’s fifth since 2020.

Anaheim’s vacancy is the third in its own division. Seattle let Dan Wilson go in late September, and Houston announced on October 14 that Joe Espada would not return. The AL West will have three new managers next season.

The winter’s first number is set: the qualifying offer stands at $23.15 million, up 5.1 percent from $22.025 million and the highest ever, the Associated Press reported Monday. Among the eligible headliners are Randy Arozarena, David Bednar, Ryan Jeffers, Brandon Lowe, Adrian Morejon, Trevor Rogers and Seiya Suzuki. Several of the winter’s biggest names are not eligible — Bo Bichette and Michael King face player-option decisions, and Zac Gallen, Chris Bassitt, Luis Arraez, Robbie Ray and George Springer are not on the list. Clubs extend offers within five days after the World Series ends, and players then have about a week to accept.

The Dodgers’ winter has already begun. Andrew Friedman held his exit interview on Wednesday — eight pending free agents on the roster, and, per USA Today, a directive from ownership of “business as usual” despite federal investigations into Guggenheim’s majority partner and sales of other franchises in the group, with no indication of reduced resources.