Angels Trade Rumors: David Fletcher price tag is high

With the third-worst record in baseball, the Los Angeles Angels are likely going to be sellers at the annual MLB Trade Deadline, but would they move David Fletcher?

At 8-18 on the season, the prospects of the Los Angeles Angels making the postseason in 2020 are dwindling. Add in the looming specter of the MLB Trade Deadline, and the Halos will quickly need to make a decision as to what direction they want to go; buying or selling.

It’s hard to believe that the trade deadline is already upon us, as it seems like the season just started yesterday. However, with everything else being crunched down, the annual player swap gets started quickly and as such, the rumors will start flying quickly.

One of the first rumors out of the gate started circulating this morning, with Jon Morosi of MLB Network floating that Angels’ infielder David Fletcher is getting a lot of attention from contending teams.

As expected, the Angels are going to set the bar high on any player that they deem untouchable in trade talks, and David Fletcher fits that bill along with just a handful of other Angels at this point.

Through the team’s first 26 games, Fletcher has hit .299/.364/.449 with three home runs, 16 runs scored, and a wRC+ of 125. Additionally, he’s handled the defensive side of the ball well also, starting at both third and short to cover for the absences of Anthony Rendon to start the season and Andrelton Simmons more recently.

A top of the order bat with a high contact rate (3 strikeouts in last 46 PA) that can play multiple positions around the infield will be in high demand for any team. Add in the fact that he is not arbitration-eligible until after the 2022 season, and the Angels have every right to place a high price tag on Fletcher.

What would it take for the Angels to trade David Fletcher?

However, the question is how serious Billy Eppler would even be in trading away one of the few consistent players the team has seen in 2020. Fletcher is also a fan favorite, so the already maligned general manager would further hurt his image with the fan base by trading the infielder. Then there is the issue with both Andrelton Simmons and Tommy La Stella being free agents after the season, placing the importance on keep the one contractually controlled middle infielder in the lineup.

With that said, if the Angels are serious about trading Fletcher, any offer that comes their way must include a starting pitcher that is close to Major League ready and perhaps a second that isn’t far removed as well. The contracts of Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon place a “win-now” urgency on any roster building choices, and the need for pitching to contend has never been more evident. The problem there is that contending teams are unlikely to part with pitching in a season where it has been in short supply.

So will the Angels trade David Fletcher? It is doubtful. However, contending teams are welcome to call and place their bids on the table. It will be Billy Eppler’s decision if they are acceptable enough to make a move.