LA Angels Trade Market: Making Blockbuster Deals With Every NL Central Team

Pittsburgh Pirates

Our first of two bounce-back pitcher candidates for the Angels is none other than Chris Archer. The trade Pittsburgh made for Archer looked worse and worse by the day in 2019, and as they consider a full rebuild, moving him could be their top priority.

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In 2019, Archer posted a 5.19 ERA and a career-low innings pitched. The interesting part is that despite an awful year, Archer’s underlying numbers didn’t change from his career averages all that much. His walk rate shot up, but other than that Archer was seemingly the same pitcher he was in the years prior.

The trade comes with the consideration that Pittsburgh will be rebuilding and selling off their scoring deals. Archer is signed through next year and has an $11 million team option for 2021.

Matt Thaiss would give the Pirates some much-needed pop in their lineup, and consistent at-bats could give him a chance to fully break out next year. Jose Suarez showed flashes of potential last year, but doesn’t look to be more than a back of rotation option.

Sending Thaiss and Suarez might not sound like a great deal for Halo fans, but the impact Archer could potentially have on this Angels team is huge, and well worth moving off of two prospects projected to average MLB players.