Any kind of Los Angeles Angels trade before the deadline could go either way. At 45-44, the Angels are seven games behind the Texas Rangers. They’re four games out of the final AL Wild Card spot. After a shaky series in San Diego, they will turn their attention to a weekend series with the Los Angeles Dodgers. If the Angels want to continue to push for a playoff spot, something has to change. Injuries and mediocre play aside, this team is underperforming. How do the Angels fix their issues now and for the future? Here are a few potential trade ideas that should do just that.
Potential Angels Trades
Patrick Sandoval & Luis Rengifo for Shane Bieber
Regarding difficult moves, the biggest issue is potential and control in contracts. Both Patrick Sandoval and Luis Rengifo have a lot of control left. Sandoval is entering his first year of aberration as he’s a free agent after the 2027 season. For Rengifo, he’ll be a free agent after the 2026 season. Trading these players could yield a great return for the Angels if they play their cards right.
The Cleveland Guardians will consider trading Shane Bieber at the deadline. The AL Central is a weak division, so they are still in the divisional race. Bieber has a 5-5 record, with a 3.66 ERA of 3.66, and a 1.238 WHIP. His FIP is a concern at 4.13, but for two years of control, that can be overlooked. His strikeout rate has fallen off a cliff, anchored by a four-seam fastball that has posted the second-worst whiff rate among pitchers with at least 300 thrown. He also ranks near the bottom of the league in quality of contact surrendered. A fresh voice could help him get things right again, making the risk worth it.
Sandoval going back to Cleveland gives them a left-handed pitcher with a great upside with three-plus years of control left. Plus, it gives them a solid pitcher that might not be ace but can offer them innings. Rengifo, on the other hand, is the odd man out in Anaheim. Zach Neto is the shortstop of the future, and Brandon Drury will be the everyday second baseman for the next few seasons. This acquisition allows the Guardians to make other moves to free up space in the middle infield.
Liván Soto & Jordyn Adams for Scott Barlow
The Angels bullpen has been a fickle thing all season. However, Scott Barlow would add much-needed depth to the back end of the bullpen. In 31 innings this season, Barlow has 10 saves, a 4.06 ERA and a 1.239 WHIP of 1.29. The price to get Barlow could be lower than two mid-level prospects. Barlow brings back-end experience to Los Angeles, and the Kansas City Royals get two players to help them.
Liván Soto had a cup of coffee with the Angels last year and 4 games this year. He has shown flashes in limited action that he can be adequate at the major league level. His line last year was .400/.414/.582. It was inflated since his action was so limited, but it shows the potential with more time at-bats. Jordyn Adams is blocked in the outfield with the Angels as he should get a shot with another team. With the Salt Lake Bees, he was hitting .256/.337/.802 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs. The Royals are a young team that could use more prospects in their cabinets. They have the potential to get back to what they were. Right before they went on their run to back-to-back World Series appearances were timely trades that gave them talent. That could work again in 2023.
This trade, in particular, is interesting. The price for Barlow might be lower than what I proposed. If the Angels wanted to get him, it could be a one-for-one deal. There is also a chance the Angels get more than Barlow; they could get another player like a catcher. Things could change and will, but this deal is possible regardless.
Jo Adell & Prospect(s) for Lucas Giolito
Lucas Giolito is going to be the big prize at the trade deadline. He is a free agent at the end of the season, so teams may not be willing to pay a high price for him. In Giolito’s 18 starts, he has an ERA of 3.50, a WHIP of 1.16, and a FIP of 4.16. If the Angels want to go for it this season, Giolito is the guy to add.
Jo Adell would ultimately go to the Chicago White Sox in the deal without question. The only thing that could hold that happening is the injury to Mike Trout. He just had the surgery and is on the path to recovery for the next four-eight weeks. Adell has been destroying baseballs in AAA with a line of .271/.376/.580 and 23 home runs. It looks like he has put it all together finally. With consistent playing time, there is a chance he lives up to that All-Star potential.
Here are a lot of variables at play here. Trout’s recovery, the Angels wanting to sell instead of buy, and what else the White Sox would wish to have in return. Getting Giolito would be a huge and aggressive move to win right now. The Angels haven’t made a deal like that since getting Zack Greinke back in 2012. They did fail to resign Greinke in the offseason and might fail with Giolito if they get him. With the trade deadline approaching, the stove will be getting hot soon.
Photo Credit: © Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Patrick Sandoval, Luis Rengifo, Shane Bieber, Zach Neto, Brandon Drury, Scott Barlow, Liván Soto, Jordyn Adams, Lucas Giolito, Jo Adell, Mike Trout, Zack Greinke
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