LA Angels trade rumors: 3 pitchers who have more value than you think

Alex Cobb, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Cobb, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
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Andrew Heaney, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Heaney, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /

According to FanSided National MLB insider Robert Murray, the LA Angels appear to be set up to sell at the deadline (at least to some extent).

The Halos sit at 49-49 as of Murray’s writing, and his sources actually indicate that their trade block actually has quite a bit to sell. While it may not seem like it, the Angels have some of the most prized possessions on the market, according to Murray’s sources.

These names may surprise Angels fans, but it’s a thinner trade market when it comes to pitchers at this point. It only drives these pitchers’ trade values up.

No. 3 LA Angels pitcher who has more trade value than you think: Andrew Heaney

Andrew Heaney has been rather terrible for the LA Angels this season.

He currently has a 5.32 ERA, and has taken a step back this year after not even being that good of a pitcher in his career before this year.

Get this, though. Murray said that Heaney is “drawing ‘strong’ interest, according to major-league sources.”

That may seem not very believable, but there simply aren’t a lot of good starting pitchers truly available right now. Teams may be interested in Heaney out of desperation and the fact that he’s been a solid pitcher a couple of times in his career. He also throws strikes; striking out 10.7 batters per nine innings and walking 2.9 batters per nine innings.

If teams are going to be desperate, I’d love for somebody to overcompensate us for Heaney.

Alex Cobb, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Alex Cobb, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 2 LA Angels pitcher who has more trade value than you think: Alex Cobb

Alex Cobb has been more than serviceable for the LA Angels this year, and other teams have clearly taken notice.

Murray also reported that major league sources say that he too is “drawing ‘strong’ interest” from other teams.

The facts of the matter are that Cobb quietly had somewhat of a bounce-back campaign in 2020, and has since improved this year as well.

He’s a guy who had several good years in Tampa Bay, and seems to be pitching at that level again.

Again, with few good starting pitchers on the trade block these days, Cobb is absolutely a valuable trade chip.

With Patrick Sandoval realistically surpassing Cobb as the second-best starter right now, the Halos may be a little bit more willing to trade Cobb.

He’s been good for us, and it wouldn’t be fun to see him go. That being said, there are scenarios where we could receive a lot in return from him. If we get a good offer, we may need to pull the trigger.

We can’t rebuild, but we can retool with younger prospects or up-and-coming Major Leaguers if we trade Cobb.

Raisel Iglesias, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Raisel Iglesias, LA Angels. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 LA Angels pitcher who has more trade value than you think: Raisel Iglesias

Raisel Iglesias is the LA Angels’ top trade piece.

Murray called him “perhaps the Angels’ most intriguing trade candidate.” Here’s what he had to say:

“He is expected to have a strong market, with one rival executive calling him “probably the best reliever available not named Craig Kimbrel if they decide to move him.”

If he’s really that good, he’s going to have a high trade value. He has been solid this year, posting a 3.43 ERA and 21 saves. His 0.918 WHIP is solid, and he strikes out 13.5 batters per nine innings.

His numbers look good, and Kimbrel is going to bring back a haul. The more it takes for somebody to acquire Kimbrel, the more value Iglesias is going to be seen to have.

Sure, the Angels could use their closer. Quality closers don’t grow on trees. That being said, if the offer looks good, Perry Minasian may as well pull the trigger.

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We want to sell, but we literally can’t hold a fire sale. These three guys have a perfect amount of value to do that.

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