Chicago White Sox are placing their focus for 2024 and beyond. They statrted off by trading a former All-Star pitcher to the Los Angeles Angels. What impact will this have on the American League playoff picture?
In one of the first major trade deadline transactions, the White Sox have agreed to trade pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Angels. In exchange, the White Sox are receiving minor league prospects Edgar Quero and Ky Bush, the Angels’ 2nd and 3rd ranked prospects. For the Angels, this solidifies their status as buyers, while the White Sox have begun their sell-off before the August 1st trade deadline. A deal of this size will have a significant impact on the American League playoff picture. Let’s take a look at what it means.
Angels Receive Pitching Depth
In one of the first major trade deadline transactions, the White Sox have agreed to trade pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Angels.
The Angels have made the first major splash of deadline season by making this deal. Giolito was arguably the best pitcher on the trade market, and will likely join the Angels rotation as their second or third starter. Los Angeles starters rank 20th in the league in ERA this season at 4.62. Giolito has gone 6-6 with a 3.79 ERA in 21 starts. He throws four pitches: fastball, slider, changeup, and the (very) occasional curveball. The Southern California native was arguably the top starter on the trade market this year, and now joins the Angels to push for the club’s first playoff appearance since 2014.
In addition to Giolito, the Angels also received reliever Reynaldo Lopez. Lopez has struck out 52 batters while walking only 22 in 43 appearances this year, posting a 4.29 ERA. Throughout his eight year MLB career, Lopez has shown flashes of dominance. He turned in a career best effort last season, with a 2.76 ERA in 61 games. He’ll likely be used in late inning situations and in high-leverage spots.
Reynaldo Lopez would’ve been a target of mine, probably best Stuff+ that’ll be moved at deadline. Lucas Giolito hasn’t quite got his old fastball back but he’s obviously going to help that rotation. Quero is a good get for the White Sox, his K & BB rates are great for a catcher.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) July 27, 2023
White Sox Receive Angels Top Two Prospcts
For the White Sox, the Giolito trade represents the first step in their selloff at the trade deadline. In return, they managed to acquire two top prospects, ranking 2nd and 3rd in the Angels’ system. Quero is an offensively-minded backstop, slashing .246/.386/.332 this season. He was ultimately expendable due to last year’s trade for Logan O’Hoppe at the deadline, since the Angels now view O’Hoppe as their catcher of the future. Similarly, Bush has struggled this season and was deemed tradable, with a 7.20 ERA this season across two levels. Both immediately settle into Chicago’s top 30 prospect rankings. Quero is the 65th ranked prospect in baseball.
Impact on the AL Playoff Picture
Does the Giolito trade make them immediate contenders? In short, probably not, but there is some nuance. Los Angeles has dominated league-wide storylines for the last month, with all eyes on their best player. Two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani was rumored to be on the trading block, and the league sat with bated breath to see if the Angels would trade one of, if not the, greatest players of all time. An impending free agent, Ohtani was confirmed to be staying in Los Angeles for the rest of the season just hours before the deal. With the acquisition of Giolito, the Angels have solidified their position as buyers as the trade deadline nears.
However, the Angels have their work cut out for them. Even with Giolito and Lopez, they have an uphill climb to reach the playoffs. All five AL East teams are above them in the standings. Alongside is the division-rival Houston Astros in the second Wild Card spot. Currently, three of the Angels’ best offensive players are injured: Mike Trout, Brandon Drury, and Anthony Rendon. Run prevention help is certainly welcome for a team in the bottom half of pitching staff rankings. However, their offense will need to make up for the loss of production. The Giolito trade helps, but is far from the complete fix. The Angels’ greatest benefit from this deal, arguably, was getting Giolito off the market, as he was highly sought after by nearly every contender.
Photo Credit: © Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Edgar Quero, Ky Bush, Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Brandon Drury, Anthony Rendon
