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Angels rumors: 3 ways Perry Minasian can screw up 30 hours before the trade deadline

There is still plenty of time for Perry Minasian to turn what has been a good trade deadline into a bad one.

By Zachary Rotman |
Kansas City Royals v Los Angeles Angels
Kansas City Royals v Los Angeles Angels / Jayne Kamin-Oncea/GettyImages
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The Los Angeles Angels have been one of the more active teams so far with the MLB Trade Deadline rapidly approaching.

First, they announced that Shohei Ohtani wasn't going anywhere and the team was intending to buy. Then, they put their money where their mouths are by acquiring Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez from the Rockies. They then doubled down by acquiring Randal Grichuk and C.J. Cron from the Rockies.

Perry Minasian has done a fine job improving this roster that badly needs improving. At 55-51, the Angels are four games back of the third Wild Card spot and five games back of first place in the AL West.

With the deadline nearing, the Angels will look to improve even further. Let's hope Perry Minasian doesn't screw it up.

1) Perry Minasian can screw up the LA Angels trade deadline by failing to add at least one more reliever

After the two moves the Angels have made and where this roster stands right now, the bullpen is my number one concern. The lineup struggled mightily in Toronto, but a lot of that does have to do with injuries. Adding Grichuk and Cron should really help fix that issue in the short term, and the injured players returning will help when they come back.

The bullpen on the other hand, even with Reynaldo Lopez, is a weakness. Carlos Estevez has been lights out all year. Matt Moore has been great when healthy. The Estevez, Moore, Lopez trio is perfectly fine late in games. Other than them, it's hard to find relievers you trust.

Jacob Webb started great but has really tailed off. Aaron Loup has been great of late, but has he earned your trust? Jaime Barria is great in long relief but isn't a high-leverage guy. Jose Soriano has had his ups and downs. Getting Ben Joyce and Sam Bachman back from the IL would help, but who knows when that'll happen? The Angels just need more.

It's unlikely they have the ammo to land a top-tier closer like David Bednar, but they don't necessarily need that kind of a move. Just add a quality arm or two. Widen the circle of trust Phil Nevin has late in games. If an Angels starting pitcher leaves the game with a lead, it should hold up.

2) Perry Minasian can screw up the LA Angels trade deadline by failing to acquire another middle infielder

It's hard to really know what's going on with Zach Neto. His back is clearly not 100%, and he's played just twice in the last ten days. The Angels have essentially played with 25 players the last ten days instead of 26 because they've refused to just put him on the IL.

With the Angels headed to Atlanta I have no idea what the plan is with Neto. Can he play? Will he go on the IL? He was in the lineup for the first game of the Toronto series before being scratched. He did not appear in any of the three games.

With Neto's back a clear issue, the Angels need to find a middle infielder that can play in his absence. I'm not asking for a star, I'm asking for an upgrade over what they currently have.

Andrew Velazquez started two of the three games in Toronto and failed to record a hit. He's hitless in his last ten at-bats with seven strikeouts. I do think he can be a solid piece off the bench with his speed and defense, but his bat is unusable and the Angels must find an upgrade.

Luis Rengifo has swung a hot bat in July, but his defense is suspect enough at second base. He's not a shortstop and should not be played there. Guys like Eduardo Escobar and maybe even Michael Stefanic could play there in a pinch, but shouldn't. Adding an external piece who can start at short when Neto is out and come off the bench when he's healthy would make a lot of sense. The Angels can't afford to play Velazquez every day.

3) Perry Minasian can screw up the LA Angels trade deadline by prospect hugging

They've gone all in, they need to stay the course. Nothing is telling me they'd hold any prospect off limits, but doing so would be a mistake.

Their goal is quite clear. Win at all costs in 2023. They gave up their two top prospects in Edgar Quero and Ky Bush to land Giolito and Lopez. They gave up another top-ten prospect in Jake Madden along with Mason Albright to land Grichuk and Cron. These deals came after they moved three pitching prospects to acquire Eduardo Escobar and Mike Moustakas in their deals.

I'm not here to tell you to value prospects equally. Of course I'd ask for more in a Kyren Paris trade than I would in a David Calabrese trade, but these guys shouldn't be untouchable.

If Paris can help get you a key piece to what you hope will be a postseason team, you trade him. You've already moved your best prospects, don't stop now. Continue to go all in until you feel you've done the best you can to land the best possible team.

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