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3 blockbuster trade targets the LA Angels need to consider this winter

By Evan Desai |
Sep 29, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 29, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) throws a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 25, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jean Segura (2) hits a single to center field during the fifth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jean Segura (2) hits a single to center field during the fifth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: John Geliebter-USA TODAY Sports /

The LA Angels have a lot of money to spend in free agency.

The LA Angels need to be aggressive in spending that money, but also need to find ways to improve the roster in other ways. Throwing money around isn’t the only way to improve the talent on this roster.

There are going to be many trades this winter. The Angels need to get in on the action.

No. 3 blockbuster trade target the LA Angels need to consider this winter: Jean Segura, Philadelphia Phillies

The LA Angels will likely be going with David Fletcher at second base, but Jean Segura is not just a second baseman.

Segura can play short, and was primarily a shortstop every year of his career. The only years he wasn’t a primary shortstop were 2016 (due to being teammates with a strong defensive shortstop in Nick Ahmed), and these last two seasons (due to being teammates with Didi Gregorius). The Angels need a shortstop and Segura can be the guy.

Coming off of a season where he hit .290/.348/.436 with 76 runs scored, he’s not particularly cold. These aren’t bad numbers for what we’re seeing out of shortstops these days. He’s going to be a free agent next year, so the Phillies might want to get something from him now.

A .285 career hitter, the Angels should give the Phils a call.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.Washington Nationals At Cincinnati Reds Sept 24
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals, Friday, Sept. 24, 2021, at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.Washington Nationals At Cincinnati Reds Sept 24 /

No. 2 blockbuster trade target the LA Angels need to consider this winter: Sonny Gray, Cincinnati Reds

Sonny Gray looks like he’s revived his career in Cincinnati. He needed a change of scenery and he got it. The Reds owe him $10.2 million next year.

If the Angels can get a good starter for that price, they should take advantage. The rest of the top starters in free agency are going to cost so much more than that.

Also, if the Angels acquire Gray (and have to acquire his contract), they’ll have a club option for him that they can turn down if they don’t want him past 2022. That option would be for $12 million, and they’d have a year to evaluate him and decide on that.

Gray isn’t coming off of his best year, but was still solid in striking out over 10 batters per nine innings, recording a 1.219 WHIP and a 4.19 ERA.

In these past three years with the Reds, he’s posted a 3.49 ERA to go along with a 1.154 WHIP. He’s worth taking a chance on, as long as we’re not trusting him to be one of our top couple starters.

Oct 2, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) turns the double play while avoiding Colorado Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia (15) during the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte (4) turns the double play while avoiding Colorado Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia (15) during the third inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 1 blockbuster trade target the LA Angels need to consider this winter: Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks

Ketel Marte is similar to Segura in that he’s not currently playing  a lot of shortstop, but he could for the LA Angels.

Marte was an everyday shortstop from 2015-2017, and has played at least some shortstop in each season from 2018 to 2020 as well.

He’s just a couple years removed from being a top four NL MVP candidate, and he’s still a star in this game. He killed it this year. He hit .318/.377/.532 (.909) with 14 home runs, 52 runs, and 50 RBI in just 90 games.

Imagine what he would have put up if he stayed healthy.

Well, he stayed healthy in 2019, and hit .329/.389/.592 (.981 OPS) with 32 home runs, 92 RBI, and 97 runs scored. He raked, as he always does.

If he goes to the Angels, we’ll be able to keep him in the infield, instead of constantly having him play out of position in the outfield like the D-Backs do. We have enough outfield, and won’t need to bother with putting him there.

Taking on his contract is just $8 million for next year, which is very cheap for his level of production. He’s a great trade option for us, and he needs to be the top trade priority.

Next. Why Ohtani should win Player of the Year

The Angels have all the opportunity in the world to have a strong offseason. Trading is going to be necessary if they want to build a complete roster.

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