An LA Angels Arizona Diamondbacks Trade

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.