3 LA Angels players who won't survive the trade deadline

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The Los Angeles Angels are trying to claw their way back into the postseason race. They've completed a sweep over the free-falling Yankees to get back over .500 for the first time in the second half. They're still nine games back in the division and 4.5 back of the final Wild Card spot, but they have a real shot at making up some more ground with a weaker part of their schedule coming up.

With the trade deadline nearing, it's still hard to know how the Angels will operate. An argument can be made that even if they're 4.5 games back they should sell considering what they can get in a SHohei Ohtani trade. It can also be argued that a 4.5 game deficit with injured players coming back and an improved roster is nothing and they can be a team that makes the postseason.

Regardless of what the Halos decide to do, there're three players e it's hard to envision remain with the. club past the deadline. They aren't contributing much to winning, and/or don't have a future on this team.

1) LA Angels pitcher Tucker Davidson won't survive the trade deadline

Tucker Davidson has had a very strange year for the Angels. He came close to earning a spot in the rotation with a solid spring but settled for a job in long relief. He's one of a few guys who have remained with the team all season long with the sole reason being he's out of options.

Davidson got off to a good start, posting a 2.25 ERA in his first seven appearances and 16 innings pitched. Since then, his usage has gone out the window and his production has followed.

The southpaw has made just 11 appearances since May 6 and has posted a 10.91 ERA in 15.2 innings of work. He has just one outing in which he went more than two innings in that span after having four in the month of April alone. He's made just six appearances since June 1.

The Angels simply don't need him considering the fact that he's never used, and when he is used, he isn't good. If the Angels are buying, they'll want to upgrade the rotation. That means moving Jaime Barria officially to the bullpen to likely be the long man. If they're selling, there still won't be a need for Davidson, a 27-year-old with a 6.15 ERA in his career. Either way I think he's gone.

2) LA Angels infielder Luis Rengifo won't survive the trade deadline

I know that Luis Rengifo has played better of late. He's hit three home runs with a 1.018 OPS in the month of July. Still, that won't be enough in my eyes to see him survive the trade deadline considering this Angels roster and what we've seen all year from him.

Rengifo has slashed .214/.308/.341 with seven home runs and 27 RBI this season. He's gotten a ton of playing time thanks to injuries and Phil Nevin just feeling the need to play him, and he's rewarded the Angels by putting up a putrid 78 OPS+. Rengifo has shown some versatility playing all over the infield and outfield but he's a below average defender and is a below average base runner so when he's not hitting, like he wasn't most of the season, he's useless.

If the Angels are buyers, Rengifo could easily be used as a trade chip. He's a 26-year-old switch hitter who hit 17 home runs last season and could play anywhere with years of control. The Angels can get something, even if it's not groundbreaking, for him. If they're selling, there're simply other guys I'd rather see play over him and again, he can be traded for some low-level prospect.

I like Luis Rengifo, but it just hasn't worked this season. A 31 at-bat run of solid play isn't going to change my mind.

3) LA Angels pitcher Chris Devenski won't survive the trade deadline

Chris Devenski was an unbelievable story for the Angels this season. He's a guy who grew up in SoCal as a fan of the Angels and had the chance to pitch for his hometown team. After an all-star appearance in just his second season, Devenski struggled mightily from 2019-2022, appearing to be closer to retirement than re-discovering his form.

The Angels inked Devenski on a minor league deal simply for depth purposes. Thanks to the bullpen injuries and struggles in April, the right-hander earned a shot with the club and did not disappoint. In his first 19 appearances he had a 1.85 ERA in 24.1 innings pitched. He was unbelievable stranding inherited runners. and worked his way up to Carlos Estevez's set-up man. The veteran didn't even walk a batter in his first 17 appearances of the season.

Since the thrilling series win in Texas, Devenski wasn't the same. I don't know if it was overuse or the simple fact of a minor league signing turning back into a minor leaguer, but it was night and day.

In his last ten appearances, Devenski has a 13.50 ERA in 9.1 innings of work. He's allowed runs in eight of those ten appearances including five his last time out against the Astros. Following that rough outing, Devenski landed on the IL with a hamstring strain.

The injury takes him out of trade talks most likely which is unfortunate, but it also could spell the end of his run as an Angel. He was so bad before the injury that it's unjustifiable to expect him to contribute if you're trying to win down the stretch. And the fact that he's 32-years-old on a one-year deal makes him an unappealing option if the team is selling. I'd rather his spot just go to a younger guy.

The Angels wouldn't be where they are without him so I appreciate what he's done to help, but the end has arrived.

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