Angels News: After options, could Halos be planning big move?

The Los Angeles Angels could be planning some significant roster moves after optioning two players to the minors.

With Monday being an off-day for the Los Angeles Angels, one would think it would be a quiet day for the team. However, two roster moves by the Halos are leading to speculation as to if the team is planning something significant.

As reported on the team’s transactions page, the Angels have optioned outfielder Michael Hermosillo and infielder Jared Walsh to the alternate training site. No corresponding moves have yet been announced.

The moves come as the team awaits news on Shohei Ohtani. The two-way star underwent an MRI on Sunday after leaving his start during the second inning. While not necessarily tied to Ohtani’s status, the options open up two spots on the team’s active roster.

One of those spots will go to Mike Trout. Trout was added to the team’s restricted list on Sunday, which gave him an extra day away from the team to be with his newborn son. However, he is expected to be activated for Tuesday’s game against the Seattle Mariners after missing the last four games while on paternity leave.

But what of the other roster spot?

The potential of Ohtani missing time could open a spot in the Angels rotation. However, that will likely be addressed by placing Ohtani on the injured list. With that said, the move of Walsh from the roster indicates that another move is likely in the works.

While it is just mere speculation at this point, that opening could be filled with top prospect Jo Adell.

Adell ranks as one of the game’s top farmhands. He was expected to be called up the major leagues at some point in 2020, but that was before COVID delayed the season and changed everything. However, now that we are past the first seven days of the season, Adell has stayed in the minor leagues long enough to limit his service time in 2020, thus buying the Angels an extra year of contractual control.

Adell looked fantastic in camp, showing the advanced hitting tool that made him a darling of the prospect pundits. As such, it was never a question of if he would be called up, but when it would happen.

At 3-7, the Angels sit 2.5 games out of first place in the American League West. To date, the offense hasn’t been a real issue for the team, as they are scoring 4.9 runs per game. However, pitching has been a problem, with the bullpen already having five blown saves in just 10 games. Unfortunately, the Angels have limited options available on the pitching front without sacrificing potential service time on other prospects.

Adell’s addition wouldn’t solve the pitching woes, but he would provide some spark to a team that needs something to jump-start a playoff push.

Would you want to see Jo Adell in a shortened-season or prefer him to remain with the alternate training site to get consistent playing time?