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

Going into this season, many were skeptical over whether the Angels had done enough this winter to build a true contender. So far, 17 games into the season, the jury is still out.

Don’t get me wrong, the Angels are certainly off to a good start and are currently fielding one of their most exciting teams in years. However, there’s still a lot that needs to be done if they want to make a serious playoff push this season.

What Angels trades make the most sense?

Currently at 9-8, the Angels are third in the AL West. While it’s a decent start, anyone who’s watched them play this year can tell you how unreliable the starting pitching has been, or how the team’s lack of depth has crippled the defense. Sure the offense has managed to bail them out, but this isn’t sustainable.

As of Thursday, the Angels pitching staff had the third worst ERA (4.72) in basebal. Aside from a surprise blowup by the bullpen last Wednesday, the relievers have done an excellent job this year. This leaves the starters as the main culprits behind that ugly ERA.

Similarly unimpressive are the defense’s 17 errors and -4 DRS.

The good news is that there are potentially multiple available players that the Angels could trade for in order to fix these problems.

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.

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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.