LA Angels Trade Block: Finding Aces in the NL East

Washington Nationals

After that snooze fest with the Marlins trade, let’s go big for the final one. Max Scherzer is arguably the best pitcher on the face of the planet, so let’s bring him to Anaheim.

Yes, Jo Adell goes to the Nationals in this trade for two years of Max Scherzer. However, this is a deal the Angels can (and arguably should) make if possible.

Scherzer hasn’t aged like most, instead being a metaphor for fine wine and only getting better and better. With two years left, the Angels would have a legitimate championship window with an elite offense paired with a true ace in their rotation alongside Shohei Ohtani.

The main reason I love this deal (other than Max Scherzer being on the freaking Angels), is the deferred money in Scherzer’s deal. He’s only being paid $15 million a year, which gives Arte Moreno and Billy Eppler more room to build their rotation in free agency. While his AAV of nearly $36 million counts against the luxury tax, Moreno would have more actual money to spend for the next two years with Scherzer in tow.

They could add a Madison Bumgarner, Hyun-Jin Ryu, or a Dallas Kuechel and have a truly elite front-end of their rotation with this trade and one of these signings. While losing Jo Adell would really suck to have happen, gaining one of the best three pitchers in the entire MLB raises the Angels’ ceiling considerably and makes them a legitimate contender, not just a playoff hopeful.