The LA Angels probably expected to have a ton of trade bait by this time of the year.
They still have some bait, but unfortunately many of their pieces haven’t been performing. Therefore, not a ton of teams are going to be as interested in these guys anymore.
It’s unfortunate, because the Angels need some trade assets to piece together if they want to buy at the end of the month and go on a run. Out of the underperforming Angels this season, there are three that stick out the most in regards to what they could have been as trade chips.
No. 3 asset who is losing value for the LA Angels as the trade deadline approaches: Steve Cishek
Steve Cishek hasn’t been bad for the LA Angels, but does have a 1.524 WHIP. I don’t care what team it is; they are going to be shied away from that when inquiring about him for a trade.
His 8.3 strikeouts per nine innings really isn’t all that impressive for a reliever, and he’s walked far too many batters this year (5.9 BB/9).
He’s been solid for us, but that’s it. If he had been a tad better, more teams would view him as an important piece and a key to a postseason run.
I can’t see anybody realistically viewing Cishek as a key piece to a postseason run at this point. The last time Cishek was traded, he was a better pitcher up to that point in the year.
He’s not pitching like he was in 2017, and he’ll be harder to trade than previously expected.