The Los Angeles Angels trade deadline was very active; they went into buy mode. They added a lot of guys that will help them make a run for the postseason. This buyer mentality is mainly an effort to keep two-way star Shohei Ohtani. It’s a different area of operation for the Angels in the last few years, as they have been selling off guys to mixed results. All that matters is getting into the playoffs, as we know anything can happen once the calendars turn to October.
To set the stage for a minute here, June and early July almost took the Angels out of the running. Numerous injuries around the diamond and on the pitching staff. This team limped into the All-Star, with many thinking Ohtani was on his way out. Now they are 7-3 in their last ten games and pushed all the chips to the center.
The Angels Trade Deadline Grade
Areas of Concern
Apart from injuries, the Angels had a huge hole at first base. The loss of Jered Walsh was a big blow for this team. Walsh was an All-Star two years ago. Everything was heading towards him becoming a multiple-time All-Star. He was slashing .277/.340/.509 with a 126 wRC+. Now he has been designated for assignment. With a terrible line of .119/.244/.224 and a 33 wRC+. It was just on 28 games, but there wasn’t a lot of life coming from his swing. The first base issues have been plugged temporarily by a few players, but that wwasn’tbuilt to last for the long term.
Losing Mike Trout was a difficult loss on its own, then put on top of it, the loss of Taylor Ward. The loss of Ward was fierce. During a series, they needed a win desperately, even with guys stepping up like Mickey Moniak, who was doing well against righties, a 177 RC+, and two wRC+ against lefties. He has five hits against them. At this point, hhe’snot an everyday player.
Filling the Holes
The first domino that fell for the Angels was trading for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López. It wwasn’tcheap. It cost the Angels their number one prospect, catcher Edgar Quero, and pitcher Ky Bush. Giolito is an excellent fit for the Angels; they want to go for it now. The rental aspect of both of these guys is a problem for some, but worrying about 2024 in 2024 might be the best mindset. Giolito had an ERA of 3.79 and a WHIP of 1.223 with Chicago. He will fit right in the rotation behind Ohanti. The Angels hahaven’tad a solid one-two in the process in years. López adds depth to the bullpen and fills that hard thrower mold the Angels have had as the season has gone this season.
Replacing Ward was a need. They needed more in the way of replacements. What the Angels did was bold. Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron fixed two spots, the outfield and first base. Grichuk was doing well in Colorado .307/.363/.867 and a wRC+ of 119. He will fit nicely in left, giving the Angels a quality hitter and solid glove. Cron is another solid hitter with good power at first. He was hurt for part of the year but looked to be back in some capacity. His .258/.302/.469 line improved as the second half of the season went on. Again fills a need this team needed. Plus, in most situations, the best moves are under the radar. All these moves are on top of the two others the Angels made in June.
Last Minute Deal
In a last-minute trade, the Angels acquired right-hander Dominic Leone from the New York Mets. The Mets received infield prospect Jeremiah Jackson in return. Leone has bounced around the league, playing for seven different teams—the 31-year-old sports a career 3.75 ERA and 4.01 FIP in 386 1/3 innings of work. The Angels will be the eighth team of his ten-year career in the maj s. Work.
The Result
It is difficult to say whether or not team’samteam’sls are winn rs. Especially when they are moved, the goal is to make the postsea on. The aggressive moves sent a message to the team and the lea ue. Many were saying s ll. How long that thought was taken into account is unknown.
Going into August and September, Angels’eAngels’de deadline will help when the team returns to total hea th. Everything from 2,000 feet above is a gam le. All the added players are free agents at season’sseason’s. In 2023 being three games back for a playoff spot, why not go for it? Ohtani wa ks. He walks you made an effort to go for it. The people might not understand Angel’seAngel’sdes wit’sit’sit’sisk, with little to l se. Faulting the team that trisn’tsn’isn’tth it.
Angles Trade Deadline Final Grade: B
Photo Credit: © Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Shohei Ohtani, Mike Trout, Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López, Edgar Quero, Ky Bush, Randal Grichuk, C.J. Cron
