5 players traded at this year's deadline for the Angels to target in the offseason via free agency

A majority of the moves made at the trade deadline involve players who are on expiring contracts. The reasoning behind this is for teams who are out of contention to get something for players who are about to hit free agency instead of risking losing them for nothing. The Los Angeles Angels found themselves very interested in expiring contracts.

The biggest trade the Angels made on deadline day involved two players on expiring deals in Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez. In fact, every player the Angels acquired is set to hit free agency at the end of the year. The prices were definitely lower for those players, and with the Angels only having Shohei Ohtani through the end of this year, it made some sense for the Angels to just look for players who can help right now.

While I fully expect the Angels to look into re-signing guys like Giolito and Lopez in free agency, there're other players who were moved at the trade deadline on expiring deals that the Angels should look into signing.

1) LA Angels free agent target who was traded at the deadline: David Robertson

David Robertson was arguably the best reliever moved at the deadline this year as he went from the Mets to the Marlins in a move that could only be viewed as ironic. The Mets, a team expected to win a whole bunch of games this year sold to a division rival that wasn't expected to be anywhere near postseason contention.

Robertson has taken over as the Marlins closer and has had a couple of rough outings, but he's converted three of his four save opportunities thus far.

The 38-year-old signed a one-year deal to join the Mets this past offseason, so he'll be set to hit free agency once again. The Angels have a chance to get one of the game's best relievers with loads of postseason experience likely on a one-year deal once again due to his age.

If Robertson were to consider coming to Anaheim, the Angels should be all over it. Worst case scenario, if the team doesn't compete, they can flip him at the deadline for a third straight year in exchange for a nice prospect or two.

2) LA Angels free agent target who was traded at the deadline: Jordan Montgomery

Jordan Montgomery was a player I really wanted the Angels to target. Lucas GIolito wasn't a bad get, but Montgomery cost less in a trade and is just a more consistent pitcher even if he doesn't have Giolito's ceiling. We've already seen Giolito implode in a start, Montgomery just simply doesn't do that.

Of course, the Rangers swooped in and grabbed the left-hander from the Cardinals, and all he's done since joining Texas is deliver two quality starts, allowing just two runs in six innings both times. Quality starts have been hard to come by of late for this Angels staff outside of Shohei Ohtani.

Montgomery has gone at least six innings in 15 of his 23 starts, and he's allowed three runs or fewer in 19 of the 23. Most of the time, Montgomery goes six or seven and allows three runs or fewer. That doesn't grow on trees.

The 30-year-old will be a highly sought after free agent that the Angels can hopefully try and bring in. He'd really help fortify their rotation which badly needs reinforcements.

3) LA Angels free agent target who was traded at the deadline: Jeimer Candelario

The Angels were linked to Jeimer Candelario at the trade deadline before acquiring C.J. Cron, and I'd have to imagine they'd be interested in him in free agency as well.

Anthony Rendon is the player the Angels expect to start at third base, but you never know with him. On the other side of the diamond, it's hard to say who will start. Cron, Gio Urshela, Mike Moustakas, and Eduardo Escobar are all hitting free agency this offseason. The Angels infield depth which is extremely strong this season will have to be replenished come this offseason.

Candelario is a player who was having a career year with Washington before being traded to the Cubs. All he's done since returning to Chicago is continue to hit. Candelario has 17 hits in 37 at-bats (.459 average) with five doubles and a home run in 10 games. If only the Angels could get that kind of offensive spark from a player they acquired.

The 29-year-old is a switch-hitter who can play both third and first and should get a ton of interest on the open market. If the Angels were interested in him before, I'm sure they'll be interested again. It's about whether he wants to come to Anaheim.

5) LA Angels free agent target who was traded at the deadline: Brad Hand

Brad Hand is another player who was traded at the deadline that the Angels were linked to at one point. He wound up being traded by the Rockies to the Braves and immediately after getting out of altitude, four of his five outings with Atlanta have gone well.

Hand isn't the dominant closer he once was with San Diego and Cleveland. He's just not. However, the Angels wouldn't sign him to be that guy. Last season he had a 2.80 ERA with the NL Champion Phillies, and this season he's been effective away from Coors Field.

The Angels saw the potential of something great with Carlos Estevez after he left Coors Field and he's rewarded them with outstanding performance for most of the year. Hand could be the same way.

WIth Aaron Loup and Matt Moore hitting free agency, the Angels might need a lefty if they don't bring those guys back. Hand is still dominant against left-handed hitters, holding them to a .175/.288/.228 slash line with no home runs and just two extra-base hits this season.

This wouldn't be a flashy pick-up, but as a second lefty in a bullpen you can do a whole lot worse.