An LA Angels Arizona Diamondbacks Trade
By Vincent Page
The LA Angels are in an awkward spot with the trade deadline approaching. Should they buy or should they sell? This series will analyze a trade with each team. Some teams will buy from the Halos, some will sell, but all will trade.
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In this article, we will analyze a trade between the LA Angels and the Arizona Diamondbacks. With the Diamondbacks sitting at 55-40 and slightly holding onto the first Wild Card spot, they will undoubtedly be buying at the deadline.
They are 10.5 games behind the MLB-best Dodgers in the West, so their focus will be on home-field advantage in the Wild Card Game. The biggest problem Arizona has had this season is closing out games. Fernando Rodney, the team’s closer is, 22-5 in save opportunities, and boasts a treacherous 5.40 ERA in 35 appearances.
In this trade, the LA Angels send closer Bud Norris to the Diamondbacks for a young lefty reliever in Gabriel Moya. At 22 years old, Moya will be competing for a big league roster spot next season. He has impressed in 2017. In Double-A Jackson Generals, he owns a 0.86 ERA with 17 saves on the year.
Norris has filled in as the Halos closer admirably this season. He owns a 2.35 ERA and is 14-2 in save opportunities. He would the give the Diamondbacks the closer they need to make a deep playoff run. Arizona has no trouble taking leads with their elite offense, however, keeping the lead is their biggest problem.
The Angels have had a solid bullpen this season, despite recent struggles. The one thing they are short on is left-handed relief pitchers, with Jose Alvarez being the only consistent mainstay this season. He has flourished with a 2.56 ERA, but he can’t pitch every night.
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Maya would give the Angels another solid relief pitcher, while also adding youth the bullpen. Norris would give the Diamondbacks a closer who can get the job done. Done deal.