Mock Trade: LA Angels and Chicago Cubs

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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.

The LA Angels are quite possibly going to sell at the deadline. With their losing ways as of late, it seems more and more likely they will. The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, are turning their season around. They are looking more and more like the magical 2016 Cubs. However, they do suffer in the starting pitching department. While the Angels have had their own struggles with starters, there is one name they can afford to lose.

In this trade, the LA Angels send the right-handed Jesse Chavez to the Cubs for a couple low-end prospects. While Chavez has not been amazing this season, he has looked good so far in July. In three starts, Chavez has a 3.94 ERA. This is nearly an entire point better than his season total. Each start has been better than the last, and he can undoubtedly be a welcome arm for a playoff contender.

The two prospects the Angels could get in return are outfielder Jacob Hannemann and right-handed reliever Jake Stinnett. Hannemann has had an interesting career so far. After being drafted by the Royals in 2013, he immediately took two years to serve his Mormon mission before debuting in pro ball. This season, he struggled at Double-A for the Cubs. However, after being moved up to Triple-A, he has improved dramatically. He has elite speed as a fielder, and is an impressive baserunner as well. In 39 games at Triple-A this season, Hannemann is hitting .279 with two long balls and 14 stolen bases. He is still a raw hitter, but could be in the big leagues soon.

Jake Stinnett was originally drafted in hopes of him developing into a frontline starter. However, he has been unable to prove efficient against left-handed batters. There is still hope that his changeup can develop enough to threaten lefties, but until then, Stinnett will more than likely stay in the bullpen.

Next: Mock Trade: LA Angels and Boston Red Sox

This is a low-risk trade for both teams. The Cubs get rid of two prospect who may not even be able to crack their big league roster for years. The Angels get rid of Chavez, who should not be part of their future plans.