By Miles Denham, Senior Writer – Diamond Digest
As of May 5, the Los Angeles Angels sit at 19–14, four games back in a fiercely competitive American League West. With a high-powered offense leading the league in batting average and runs scored, and a pitching staff allowing the fewest runs in the AL, the pieces for contention are clearly in place.
At the center of it all? Paul Erickson, the 29-year-old ace who once again has started a season as a legitimate Cy Young contender. At 6–0 through his first eight starts of 2025 and 18–6 dating back to last season, Erickson is, by every definition, the guy.
And that makes the months ahead the most important stretch of the Angels’ season — not only in terms of wins and losses, but in shaping the franchise’s long-term direction.
Three Months That Will Shape a Franchise
With the trade deadline still three months away, General Manager Matthew Eisenberg and the Angels’ front office have the gift of time — but also the burden of clarity. Erickson is signed through 2026 at $17.5 million per year, a deal that looks more team-friendly with each passing start. But his value may never be higher, and the Angels must weigh three realistic paths:
- Explore Trade Offers: Contending teams starved for top-tier starting pitching could empty the farm for a frontline ace with two pennant runs of control. It’s not out of the question that Erickson could net a package headlined by multiple top-100 prospects and near-ready big leaguers.
- Extend Him Early: If Erickson is willing to discuss a long-term extension, the Angels could move to secure their ace for years to come and the remainder of his career. But doing so would likely require a significant financial commitment and the belief that his dominance can sustain deep into his 30s.
- Play It Out: The Angels could also ride this out through 2025 and reassess next year. But doing so risks losing leverage on both a trade and a potential extension. It also comes with the assumption that the team remains competitive — a fine bet, but not a guarantee.
The Crucial 12-Week Window
From now until the end of July, the Angels will face a brutal schedule that will test their roster — and define their season.
Here’s what’s on tap:
- May 6–11: Home vs. Toronto and Baltimore
- May 12–22: A 10-game road swing including the Padres, Dodgers, and red-hot Sacramento
- Late May – June: Two road-trips to the East sandwiched between series against both Sacramento and Seattle
By the time July 30 arrives, it will be clear: are the Angels chasing a division title, or are they on the bubble of another playoff miss?
Erickson’s Leverage Grows by the Start
Erickson isn’t just pitching well — he’s dominating. His 2025 campaign to date:
- 6–0 record
- Sub-3.00 ERA
- Team is 7–1 in his starts
- Efficient, consistent, and durable
On a staff ranked 2nd in the AL in ERA and 1st in runs allowed, Erickson is the anchor. And if the Angels make a deep run, it’s hard to see it happening without him.
At 6–0 through his first eight starts, Erickson has been everything the Angels could have asked for — and more. The club is 7–1 when he takes the mound and a middling 12–13 otherwise. For a franchise trying to shake off the disappointment of last year’s 89–73 finish and missed playoff berth, that dependence is both a testament to his value and a warning signal for the future.
The Case to Trade Him: Sell High, Rebalance the Roster
There is an argument — albeit a difficult one — for GM Matt Eisenberg to listen on Erickson prior to the 2025 trade deadline.
Despite their strong start, the Angels aren’t bulletproof. Their bullpen is good, not dominant. They rank just 11th in the AL in stolen bases and 9th in walks. Their 3.16 team ERA is excellent, but they don’t strike many batters out (292 K – 11th AL). It’s a staff built on contact management and run prevention, which can fray under postseason lights.
If Eisenberg were to make Erickson available in July, he’d command a king’s ransom. Think: a premium prospect package, perhaps even a young MLB-ready arm or impact bat. With only $17.5M due next season and no long-term commitment required, Erickson’s affordability could appeal to contenders as much as his performance.
That move would be painful. But if Eisenberg feels the roster lacks true October firepower — and wants to build a broader foundation for 2026 and beyond — it might be the boldest long-term play.
The Case to Extend: Build Around the Ace You Know
Of course, the easier path to explain to a fanbase — and arguably the smarter one if the Angels believe in their current core — is to lock up Erickson now.
He’s 32. He’s been healthy. He’s proven in high-leverage starts. And more than anything, he’s an identity-defining player. Players like this do not grow on trees.
Especially with the team leading the AL in runs scored and batting average, keeping a stabilizer atop the rotation might be the difference between simply being competitive and actually contending.
The Risk of Standing Pat: A Quiet Decline or a Bitter Exit?
The third path — doing nothing — has its dangers. Letting 2025 play out without a decision on Erickson means the Angels risk:
- Watching his value decline due to injury or regression
- Losing negotiating leverage heading into a walk year
- Having to either overpay next winter or see him walk for a draft pick
That’s the worst of both worlds — riding the ace, but never fully committing to the future.
Eisenberg’s Legacy and the Angel Way
This isn’t just a Paul Erickson decision. It’s a Matt Eisenberg decision, too.
The long-tenured GM brought four World Series titles to Anaheim between 2015 and 2022. But since then, the playoff wins have dried up. If 2025 and 2026 are his last best shots with this current group, then trading Erickson now may feel like waving a white flag.
On the other hand, an extension signals confidence — not just in Erickson, but in the team’s foundation: the bats, the arms behind him, the depth. It’s a show of strength.
The Verdict: No Easy Answers
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer here. A hot July could cement Erickson as untouchable. A slide into mediocrity might make a trade both smart and necessary. But what’s clear is that the next three months aren’t just about standings — they’re about identity.
Will the Angels double down on contention and reward the players who’ve elevated them into the AL’s upper tier? Or will they play the long game, parlaying Erickson’s soaring value into a future foundation?
As the summer unfolds, every start he makes — and every win or loss — will bring the Angels closer to a moment of truth.