LA Angels: 3 blockbuster trade ideas that would put LA in contention

Francisco Lindor

Before you go to the comment section to talk about how much we don’t need a shortstop and that the Angels need pitching instead, you need to realize something. The Angels do need a shortstop. Andrelton Simmons is likely gone and while his bat will not necessarily be dearly missed, his glove work will. Why not go after a rental Gold Glover who also happens to be one of the best offensive forces at the position?

Similar to the Sonny Gray situation, the Indians do not hold much leverage here. Lindor is a rental and the Indians will not be able to command as much in prospect capital as they were trying to do with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Angels likely will not have to trade Jo Adell or Brandon Marsh. They certainly won’t need to deal anyone with more value than them. It’s a trade that should not be hard to pull off.

I know I said Brandon Marsh should be off the table, but here is a possible trade scenario for Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor that gets the Angels some solutions:

Angels receive: Francisco Lindor, Carlos Carrasco

Indians receive: Brandon Marsh (#1 prospect), Hector Yan (#8 prospect), Chris Rodriguez (#9 prospect), Matt Thaiss

While giving up Brandon Marsh hurts, they do get an upside starter in Carlos Carrasco and a solution to their shortstop vacancy that shouldn’t be filled by light-hitting Jose Iglesias. Killing two boards with one stone is always a good thing.