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3 trade deadline acquisitions who have been worthwhile additions for the Angels

In what's proven to have been an awful trade deadline overall, these three players have been worthwhile additions for the Angels.

By Zachary Rotman |
Los Angeles Angels v Atlanta Braves
Los Angeles Angels v Atlanta Braves / Todd Kirkland/GettyImages
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The 2023 trade deadline was supposed to be one that catapulted the Los Angeles Angels from a borderline playoff team into their first postseason berth since 2014. The Halos were in the race for much of the first half and even after a late slump, they bounced back by winning eight of nine at one point including sweeps against the Yankees and Tigers.

Unfortunately, the Angels have completely collapsed since the deadline, going a putrid 5-16 in August. The Angels are now 10.5 games outside of the third Wild Card spot and after the injuries to Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, it seems like the Halos won't be playing any meaningful baseball in September.

The Angels traded away many prospects including their top two in Edgar Quero and Ky Bush to land a slew of players to try and help keep them afloat with injuries they've dealt with and/or push them over the top. Most of the acquisitions have been disastrous, but these three have been worthwhile.

1) Reynaldo Lopez has been a worthwhile trade deadline addition for the LA Angels

The big blockbuster the Angels pulled off was trading away their two top prospects in exchange for Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the White Sox. Giolito was the main attraction, as he was brought in to be the second frontline starter this rotation was lacking. Giolito was in the midst of a solid year with the White Sox, and was supposed to be a massive upgrade over most of an underperforming Angels rotation.

Unfortunately, Giolito has a 6.67 ERA through his first five starts with the Angels, and the team is 1-4 in games he's pitched. The ERA is bloated from one abysmal start in Atlanta, but Giolito has been an underwhelming addition overall. Thankfully, the Angels got a second player in the deal and Reynaldo Lopez has been a very worthwhile addition.

The right-hander has made ten appearances for the Angels primarily working as the seventh inning man. He's allowed two runs in 10.2 innings pitched, striking out 18 batters and displaying some elite stuff. Lopez has converted both of his save opportunities and has three holds as well.

The Angels haven't had many leads to hold since acquiring Lopez, but when he's been called in from the bullpen, he's been rock solid. He's definitely a player the Angels should look into keeping around for another year or two.

2) Mike Moustakas has been a worthwhile trade deadline addition for the LA Angels

The Mike Moustakas trade was an early one, as it was completed in late June, more than a month before the deadline. The Angels traded for Moustakas shortly after acquiring Eduardo Escobar in a separate deal in an effort to sure up their infield depth. Zach Neto was hurt, Anthony Rendon was hurt, and the Halos had gotten virtually no production from the first base position all year. That meant Perry Minasian had three positions to address with Brandon Drury the only player locked in at that point.

In years past, the Angels might've just gone along by calling up a random infielder in AAA but Perry Minasian continued to be aggressive and pulled off a deal you'd usually see in July one month early. The Angels might've fallen off, but it's not Moustakas' fault.

The Southern California native has slashed .262/.288/.452 with eight home runs and 26 RBI in 45 games with the Angels. Seven of the eight home runs he's hit have either tied the game or given the Angels a lead. He's been a rare example of a clutch Angel. Since joining the Angels, his 26 RBI are second on the team, only four behind Shohei Ohtani's 30.

Moustakas has been solid defensively at both corner infield positions, and took over as one of, if not the leader of the team fairly quickly. One can argue he's been the best trade addition the Angels have made this season.

3) Dominic Leone has been a worthwhile trade deadline addition for the LA Angels

Of all of the moves Perry Minasian made at the deadline, one that was frowned upon by most of the fan base was the Dominic Leone trade. The Angels acquired Leone right as the deadline hit, and gave up an intriguing prospect in Jeremiah Jackson to get him. It seemed like a lot and still does, but Leone has been productive as an Angel.

Things couldn't have started off much better for Leone who came into a mess against the Mariners. After walking the leadoff hitter, he had the bases loaded and nobody out in a 7-7 tie and somehow kept it even, showing extreme emotion in the process.

Just two outings later, Leone was asked to finish off a two-inning save against the Giants with a depleted Angels bullpen. Sure enough, he was able to get the job done.

Leone has had a couple of rough outings which have his ERA sitting at 4.82 as an Angel, but five of his eight appearances have been scoreless and three of the five runs he's allowed came in outings in which he recorded more than three outs. He's been more than serviceable overall as a middle reliever.

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