Angels Rumors: 3 trade scenarios to put Halos over the top

Excluding Ohtani, Dylan Bundy’s 4.50 ERA is the lowest among the top five starters. Coincidentally, Ohtani and Bundy are the only two members of the rotation that should be considered safe from any potential trades this season.

Between Andrew Heaney, Griffin Canning, Alex Cobb, and Jose Quintana, it would be shocking if at least one of them isn’t gone by the trade deadline.

What the Angels need right now is a true ace. One that can take the pressure off Bundy and Ohtani. Enter Luis Castillo and Sonny Gray. No I don’t mean both of them, just one or the other.

Luis Castillo or Sonny Gray would provide the Angels with a true ace.

Though the Reds currently occupy second place in the NL Central at 9-9, their status as contenders is dubious at best. With the Brewers, Cardinals and Cubs all fielding superior rosters, Cincinnati will likely be sellers at the deadline.

While it’s true that Castillo is severely underperforming and Gray’s debut was delayed by a back ailment, their track records speak for themselves. Gray’s career 3.54 ERA and Castillo’s 3.71 mark would easily be the best on the Angels. Furthermore, both were All-Stars in 2019, with Gray even finishing seventh in NL Cy Young voting.

The Angels can’t go wrong with either option, the real question is what will it take to land one of them. Realistically, it will require a package of three players to get the job done.

One of Cincinnati’s biggest needs right now is in the outfield, particularly in center. It may be a tough pill to swallow, but in all likelihood either Jo Adell, Brandon Marsh or Jordyn Adams will have to go. With Jared Walsh tearing it up right now as the Angels’ right fielder, this leaves only one spot for three highly touted players.

For my money, Adams makes the most sense as the center piece of this trade. The youngest of the three, his combination of raw power and defensive prowess could lead to him being the Reds’ starting center fielder within a year. Plus, his incredible speed could provide a much needed spark to an otherwise slow team.

Another area the Reds are in need of help is shortstop. The Angels have shortstops to spare with eight currently ranking among the team’s top-30 prospects (as per MLB.com). Should the Halos go after Castillo, who still has two years of team control, a higher ranking guy like Kyren Paris would have to go. As for Gray, since he’s in the last year of his contract, a more raw prospect like Werner Blakely could get the job done instead.

Lastly, it would be a big bonus for the Angels if they can kill two birds with one stone and ship off one of their current starters as well. Take your pick, but I believe Griffin Canning would make the most sense as the youngest of the bunch with the most years of team control remaining.

Why stop at one new ace when you can have two? That’s exactly what the Angels should be thinking if they want a proper starting rotation.

In these strange times we’re living in, the Colorado Rockies actually have a really solid rotation bursting with young talent. Chief among them is German Marquez.

Angels: German Marquez is succeeding at the perfect time.

At 26, Marquez has firmly established himself as Colorado’s ace and is under team control through 2024. Naturally, this means GM Jeff Bridich will trade him for relatively little.

Marquez is doing what few have at Coors Field and that’s induce a lot of ground balls (48.1% career GB rate, 62.5% in 2021) while also limiting fly balls (19.6% career FB rate, 21.9% in 2021).

Over the last two seasons, he owns a 3.71 ERA and 3.60 FIP in 17 starts. The big concern for him right now is his alarming 5.2 BB/9. Fortunately, this should be nothing more than an anomaly as his walk rate from 2016-2020 is a much more respectable 2.4 BB/9. Also, it stands to reason that once he leaves the most hitter friendly field in baseball, his stats should see noticeable improvements all around.

The rebuilding Rockies are still in the process of developing their depleted farm system, particularly in the infield and bullpen.

Since losing DJ LeMahieu and Nolan Arenado, Colorado has been without a true answer at second or third base. While their farm system currently has several notable third basemen, it lacks a long-term second baseman. This is where Livan Soto could show his worth as a trade chip. A natural shortstop, he has shown a lot of potential at second base and can be a plus defender. He’s also a high contact hitter, making him a nice replacement for LeMahieu.

As for bullpen help, the Angels have several guys to spare. Since the Rockies particularly need a lefty reliever, prospects like Hector Yan or Packy Naughton fit the bill nicely. Both guys are on the verge of making the majors and also come with starting potential. The only downside here is that the two of them could benefit the Angels right now. With the Halos bullpen currently thriving, however, one of them may have to go.

Depth wins championships. If that isn’t already a saying it should be. Depth moves may not be sexy, but they’re what any playoff hopeful needs.

As the Angels have already learned this year, it doesn’t matter how good your starting roster is if a couple injuries are all it takes to compromise the defense. While the team has stayed above .500, they could be doing much better if their infield depth didn’t rely on guys like Luis Rengifo and Jack Mayfield.

In addition to shoring up the defense and providing extra offensive pop, a good bench player should have the potential make a season altering play. That’s exactly what Mike Brosseau has shown.

Angels would get a postseason hero in Mike Brosseau.

If you recall, Brosseau was the hero of last year’s ALDS. In Game 5 against the Yankees, he crushed the go-ahead home run that ultimately sent Tampa Bay to the ALCS. Overall, through parts of three seasons, he’s slashing .277/.336/.486.

Beyond that, Brosseau brings a diverse skillset that enables him to play at first, second, third, and the outfield. Third base in particular is his best position, having put up 5 DRS in just over 200 innings.

While trading Brosseau at this stage would be early even for the Rays, a utility player of his talents will undoubtedly drive up his price in arbitration starting in 2023. It wouldn’t be shocking if the Rays simply decide they don’t want to pay too much for a bench player. Based on how they’re playing right now, that decision can come sooner rather than later.

Price wise, a single Angel should be enough for a deal. Since the Rays are in need of pitching depth, sending over a veteran like Quintana could work. After all, he’d fit right in alongside Rich Hill and Michael Wacha. Moving a prospect seems less likely, but even still the Rays could use a lefty reliever. A decent prospect like Adam Seminaris or an interesting two-way project like Erik Rivera should more than suffice.

Want your voice heard? Join the Halo Hangout team!

Write for us!

Ultimately, if the Angels do find themselves in the thick of things come July, moves like these are what can fully elevate them into true contenders.