LA Angels Trade Market: Making A Trade With Every NL West Team

(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /

With the offseason in full swing, the LA Angels focus is on free agency. However, there are trades to be made, and we’ll be taking a look at every team in the MLB through this trade series.

We’ll begin with the LA Angels neighbors in the National League, as we take a look at one trade the Halos could stand to make with each of the five teams in the NL West.

I’m going to start off the article with the Rockies, simply because I touched on why the Angels would be a great fit for Jon Gray a couple of weeks ago. For the complete article on why that would be the perfect trade to jumpstart the offseason, click here.

Essentially, if the Angels are going to be spending big money on one (or two or three) free agent pitchers, they’ll need cost-efficient starters to fill out the rotation. Gray is under team control for two more seasons, making him a great fit for the Angels going forward.

The prospects sent away are pretty straightforward. Matt Thaiss’ pop that he showed in year one would only be amplified in Colorado. Meanwhile, Patrick Sandoval’s method of pitching would work well in the higher altitude. While the Angels would possibly have to give up a little more value, that would still be worth it when trading for a pitcher as good as Jon Gray.

(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
(Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Dodgers

This may start to seem repetitive at some point, but a lot of these trades are going to be focused on starting pitchers the Halos could acquire. Ross Stripling has worked both out of the bullpen and as a starter during his time with the Dodgers, but could be made into more of a full-time rotation piece of trades away to a team who needs him more.

The Dodgers simply haven’t needed Stripling to be a constant in their rotation due to an abundance of pitching talent. And even when they lose Hyun-Jin Ryu (a perfect fit for the Angels) in free agency, they have Dustin May and other prospects to fill the void.

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In this deal, sending Jaime Barria as a cost-controller arm for years to come makes sense in return for Stripling. Obviously a one-for-one deal wouldn’t be fair, so I added in two prospects in Jahmai Jones and Kevin Maitan.

These players were thrown in for a specific reason. The Dodgers have needed infield depth for years and years, and maybe they can unlock the potential in Jones. Maitan, in a similar way, maybe needs a fresh start somewhere. And there’s no better place for a new start than the Dodgers, who seem to be the best at turn bronze prospects to gold.

(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
(Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

San Diego Padres

While he didn’t spend too much time in Anaheim and ultimately got a World Series ring by being traded, it did seem like Ian Kinsler’s time with the Angels was cut short. This trade resumes their partnership, and would be smart if the Angels are truly in “win-now” mode going into 2020.

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Obviously, parting ways with Luis Rengifo would be tough. The youngster showed a lot of promise last season and has five years of team control left. A one-for-one swap wouldn’t be fair from the Angels side, so I went ahead and added a mid-level prospect in Joey Cantillo (more on him later).

The theory in this swap is that the Padres need a bench piece who can play multiple infield positions. Their infield is set with Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., the recently traded for Jurickson Profar, and Eric Hosmer. Kinsler can only play second base, so adding versatility (and financial flexibility) with Rengifo makes a lot of sense for this team moving forward.

For the Angels, Tommy La Stella and David Fletcher can play multiple infield positions. Matt Thaiss can also play first and third base. They’re in the opposite predicament from the Padres. Adding Kinsler for this season would solidify their middle infield, and they have the flexibility with their starters to always have Kinsler playing second base. He’s also only owed $4 million this year, so won’t restrict the team in free agency.

The sweetener in this deal is Joey Cantillo, a left-handed pitcher selected in 16th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. There’s a pattern in Cantillo’s development, as he has struggled each time he makes a jump up to a higher level of baseball. However, he has come back each time and proven himself. The southpaw finished 2019 with a 2.26 ERA across two lower levels, and projects as a mid-rotation piece in a year or two.

(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Arizona Diamondbacks

Admittedly, I am not 100% certain on this trade. Robbie Ray had a down season last year, but is a prime bounce back candidate and (assuming the Angels sign at least one top-tier pitcher this offseason), would be an exceptional piece in the middle of the Angels rotation. Given the Angels’ need for as much starting pitching as possible, I think this is a deal they could explore.

The Diamondbacks have a huge hole in their outfield, and have reportedly been in on the center fielder market. Despite having an elite player in Ketel Marte, they seem to want him logging innings at second base rather than in the outfield. If they hope to accomplish that, they’ll need to sign or trade for a capable center field.

Related Story. LAA Needs to Avoid These Five Free Agents

Brian Goodwin proved to be just that last year, and was a great hitter when given consistent playing time. When his playing time stagnated, his numbers dipped some. However, if he was made the Diamondbacks main center fielder, I don’t think they’d be disappointed in the results.

This is all dependent on one player that has yet to be mentioned: Jo Adell. The Angels top prospect has had a breakout offseason, and seems ready to take over as the future in right field. If the Angels are confident in his abilities, this trade is essentially sending the team’s fourth outfielder for a pitcher with ace-level potential.

That’s what we like to call a no-brainer, folks.

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

San Francisco Giants

This is one trade proposal I really, really like for the LA Angels. Jeff Samardzija is in the final year of a five-year, $90 million deal. The San Francisco Giants would be happy to move off of his money, or at least get a building block for the future while paying a portion of Samardzija’s contract.

I’m recommending the latter here, as I’d be willing to bet the Giants would be more than happy to pay for a majority of the 34-year old’s contract for 2020. Last year, Jose Suarez showed flashes that he could be a contributor at the big league level. A switch to the National League could help Suarez’s development even more as he’d get the benefit of facing pitchers every start.

As for the Angels, they could certainly do worse than Jeff Samardzija, who last year posted a 3.52 ERA while making 32 starts in the Bay. I’m not advocating for the Angels to go out and make this move right now, but if they aren’t able to have the success they want in free agency then making this move would increase their 2020 ceiling substantially.

Next. How Competitive Will the AL West Be in 2020?

If they really miss out in free agency, the Angels may be even to trade a lower-level prospect and pay all of Jeff Samardzija’s contract in 2020. However, with their expected big spending in free agency, giving up Jose Suarez for some financial help in this deal would be the likely outcome.

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