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.

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.

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.