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

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.