LA Angels: 3 players team could trade and still remain competitive

The LA Angels aren’t quite sure if they’ll buy or sell at the deadline yet.

Many of the names brought up in the trade discussion when it comes to the Halos are similar. You’ll hear about a lot of their arms, and maybe Jose Iglesias too.

Some of those pitchers, like Raisel Iglesias, could really crush the Halos’ chances this year. Some, however, wouldn’t have those types of major effects.

No. 3 player the LA Angels could trade and still remain competitive: Andrew Heaney

It’s safe to say that Andrew Heaney has been disappointing for the LA Angels this year.

Heaney has been fine for the Halos in the past, but this year he’s posted a 5.38 ERA. He at least hasn’t walked a lot of batters, only walking an average of three every nine innings, but his WHIP still has room for improvement.

His WHIP is sitting at 1.351, and has allowed a .257 batting average against him this season.

He has some trade value, however, because there are always teams looking for starters with veteran experience, and it’s not like Heaney hasn’t ever been good before.

Also, he’s still finding the zone. It’s not just that he hasn’t walked many, but he’s also struck out 11 batters per nine.

There will be teams interested in giving him that change of scenery that he needs, and all the Angels would be losing is a starter that hasn’t performed well at all this season.

No. 2 player the LA Angels could trade and still remain competitive: Tony Watson

Tony Watson has been inconsistent for the LA Angels this season.

He’s had plenty of moments where he’s looked great, but he’s also had some where he’s looked atrocious.

One that comes to mind was June 16th against the Oakland Athletics where he gave up six earned runs without recording a single out.

All in all this year, he’s pitched to a tune of a 4.60 ERA, and he’s only struck out 6.1 batters per nine innings as a reliever. He’s also walked too many guys per nine innings (3.7).

If the Angels tried to unload Watson, they could get a decent return due to the fact that Watson’s good days have outnumbered his bad ones.

They should look into it, because while his good days certainly have outnumbered his bad ones (especially as of late), he’s nowhere near their best reliever and has been a major contributor to some key close losses this year.

They can play well without Watson. He’s not a bad pitcher, and the numbers don’t really tell the full story. They can win without him, though, and should pull the trigger if they can get the right return.