The MLB Trade Deadline is approaching. The Angels are shaping out to be clear-cut sellers. Important decisions will be made this summer.
If there’s a franchise that should not be trusted with making the correct decisions based on their recent track record, the Los Angeles Angels are the one. Bad drafting, bad trades, bad free-agent signings, and an overbearing owner have put the franchise in a really bad spot. All this dates back to Jerry Dipoto’s tenure as the General Manager in Anaheim. Dipoto gutted the farm system and he unexpectedly quit after a rift with then manager, Mike Scioscia.
His successor Billy Eppler also had bad results across the board in his four-year stint. The current situation under GM Perry Minasian has arguably gotten worse. Minasian has had little to no success in trading, drafting, and in the free agent market. Bad Major League teams and a barren farm system are a recurring issue in Anaheim. Minasian had the best asset in the history of the game in DH Shohei Ohtani, but he decided to go all in at the 2023 trade deadline for a wild card spot. The flurry of moves quickly backfired within weeks and the franchise was set back even further. Ohtani entered free agency and never looked back. Moreno declined to match the Los Angeles Dodgers’ offer so he saw his two-way superstar walk away for nothing!
For the sake of the franchise, a sell off needs to happen this trade deadline. Here’s what it should look like:
Trade Pieces Under Contract
One of the obvious trade pieces on the Angels’ roster is OF Taylor Ward. Ward solidified himself as a major leaguer after breaking out in the 2022 season. He was on pace for another good season in 2023 until he was hit in the face in Toronto. His season ended prematurely after suffering facial fractures that day. Ward is poised to have a wide range of suitors as he is under team control until 2027 and can play all three outfield positions. To this point, he’s posted a .243 batting average, 14 homers, 43 runs batted in, and a 115 wRC+ in 2024.
SP Tyler Anderson is having a great bounce back season in Anaheim as his 2023 campaign was one to forget. Anderson has arguably been the best starter for Anaheim in 2024 as he has started 17 games in which he currently sports a 3.03 ERA, and has 7 wins over 104 innings. Pitching is always in high demand at the summer trade deadline. He will easily fill a back of the rotation spot for a team with October aspirations and he is under contract for another season. Look for the Angels to cover a good portion of his contract to enhance the return.
Drury & The Relief Corps
The case of INF Brandon Drury is an interesting one. The journeyman revived his career in 2022 while splitting time with the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres. As a free agent in the 2022-2023 offseason, he agreed to a deal with the Angels that covered two years for $17 million. Drury accumulated 1.9 WAR in his first season in Anaheim, but he’s been limited to just 32 games in 2024. His performance has been poor in that small sample size as he’s spent time on the IL and dealt with an illness.
Drury’s solid 2022 where he helped the Padres make a run for the pennant and his first season in Anaheim back his case as a trade target. Once healthy, Drury will bring a veteran presence and a solid power bat that can fill in at DH, first, second, or third. He’s on an expiring contract and will hit free agency at season’s end.
Halo closer Carlos Estevez has been on a heck of a run since late May. Estevez has been stingy while taking the ball late in games, as he’s only surrendered two hits and converted nine straight saves over his last 11 appearances. Like Drury, Estevez is on an expiring contract this season. He offers valuable closing experience and could be a legit setup man for a contender in the stretch run. Estevez will have a wide range of suitors come late July and with an eye on the future he should net some young pieces for the Angels.
Relievers Matt Moore and Hunter Strickland are two guys that the Angels have to deal this summer. As previously stated, pitching will always be in high demand at the trade deadline. Both Moore and Strickland have had decent enough seasons in Anaheim to garner interest among buyers. The two veteran relievers would bring playoff experience and they would fill in nicely in middle inning roles for a team that plans on making a deep playoff run. Trading them away opens up opportunities for young relievers in the farm system such as RPs Hayden Seig, Michael Darrell-Hicks, Kenyon Yovan, and Ivan Armstrong among others.
While The Iron is Hot
Many Angel fans are 50/50 about the team trading away UT Luis Rengifo, and rightfully so. The 27-year-old is having a career year in Anaheim where should definitely make the All-Star team this summer. He is hitting to the tune of a .317 batting average. He’s also accumulated 2.1 WAR, stolen 21 bags, and a 130 wRC+ while playing all over the infield for the Halos. Some may argue for extending Luis, but I argue for selling high and not looking back. Some trades are very hard to make, and this is one of them.
By the time Luis hits age 30, the Angels might only be turning the corner. In my opinion, his trade value won’t get any higher than it is right now so it’s time to take advantage of it. He won’t hit free agency until 2026 so the Angels are due for a solid return if he’s dealt.
The Curious Case of Jo Adell
The former top prospect has had his moments in 2024. He’s looked like he’s finally breaking out at times, but he’s also looked pretty dang bad at times. He’s put together a very poor 2024 campaign thus far. With increased playing time, he is hitting .186 with 13 bombs and driven in 36 runs. The advanced metrics paint a tougher picture for Adell as he’s valued as a 0.0 WAR player that holds a weak 78 OPS+ along with a 77 wRC+. In my opinion, the Angels should cut ties with Jo. Perhaps a change of scenery can do him well and they can hopefully rescue his potential to get some type of value back in a trade.
If the Angels do this, it is important for them to net a young outfielder or two in other trades so that they have an immediate replacement for 2024 and beyond. OF Mickey Moniak might find himself in a similar situation as well.
Keep Getting Younger
Youngsters like SS Zach Neto, C Logan O’Hoppe, SP Jose Soriano, and RP Ben Joyce have all been positive developments in 2024. 1B Nolan Schanuel is one that has gone through extended growing pains and Angels upper management have refused to give him more time in the minor leagues for proper development. GM Perry Minasian is in his last year under contract and if this trade deadline is executed in the correct manner, the Angels can add more to the young nucleus that they already have in place. His return is on the line this summer.
Featured Articles
Featured Writers
