Angels rumors: 5 AL Central relief pitcher trade targets to already start thinking about

2) LA Angels should already start thinking about trading for Liam Hendriks

Is there a better story than Liam Hendriks' story right now? Hendriks was diagnosed with Stage 4 non-Hodgkins lymphoma in December and is on the road to recovery.

Hendriks beat cancer, and is on a rehab assignment with the White Sox right now. His first three appearances went well, but he allowed four runs while recording just two outs in his most recent time out. While it might take Hendriks a little while to get back into a rhythm, I have no doubt that he'll eventually find his groove.

When right, Hendriks is one of the best closers in the game. He's a three-time all-star and has even finished in the top-ten in AL Cy Young balloting twice.

Hendriks is probably a bit less likely as a trade target than some other guys out there because he's making $14 million and we all know how unlikely it is that Arte Moreno lets Perry Minasian go over the luxury tax, but maybe the Angels can give Chicago a piece back to make the money work or have them eat some money.

Hendriks can close games and he can do it at an all-star level when right. Even if he isn't 100%, he'd be more than capable as a seventh inning guy. There's a club option worth $15 million for the 2024 season which is fine value if he pitches well, and they can let him go if he doesn't.

3) LA Angels should already start thinking about trading for Scott Barlow

Scott Barlow is a name who has been on the trade market for what feels like a little while now, but has yet to be traded. With free agency approaching for this talented right-hander, now might be the time for Kansas City to pull the trigger.

Barlow is under team control through the 2024 season before hitting free agency. With Kansas City unlikely to compete next season, this is their last chance to get much of value for him. The Angels should be one of the teams involved in the bidding.

Barlow got off to a horrific start this season, posting a 9.45 ERA through his first seven appearances. He allowed three earned runs twice in those appearances which inflated his ERA substantially. Since allowing three runs on April 19 vs. the Rangers, Barlow has made seven appearances and allowed no runs on four hits with two walks and 12 strikeouts in 7.2 innings of work. He's pitched like the dominant reliever he's been for a couple years now for almost a month. This run includes a save against the Angels when he retired the side in order with a couple of strikeouts.

Barlow's walks are up this season which is a big reason he has an ERA of 4.40 on the season, but he's improved on that dramatically over his last seven appearances. When right, Barlow is really good.

In the last three seasons, Barlow has had a 2.48 ERA out of the Kansas City bullpen. He's saved 44 games and has struck out 10.4 batters per nine. Again, the Angels lack that high strikeout guy. Barlow fills that nicely.

Barlow has excelled in plenty of roles, not just the closer. The Royals have used him in the eighth inning before when the situation dictates. He can join Estevez and Moore as a high-leverage guy in this bullpen.

Barlow would be more expensive than Hendriks and Chapman since he has another guaranteed year of control, but he's worth it.

4) LA Angels should already start thinking about trading for Kendall Graveman

Kendall Graveman is another reliever who got off to a very slow start this season. The veteran had a 5.56 ERA through the month of April, but since the calendar turned to May, he's made five appearances. In those appearances, he's allowed no runs on one hit with two walks and five strikeouts in five innings of work. He appears to have found his form.

When right, Graveman is a really good set-up man. He has six holds this season and also two saves as the White Sox bullpen has struggled.

In the last three seasons, Graveman has posted a 2.69 ERA in 135 appearances pitching for the Mariners, Astros, and White Sox. He's making $8 million both this season and next which isn't cheap, but when right, he's worth it.

In the last three seasons, his 49 holds rank in the top five in all of baseball. He'd be even higher had he not saved ten games for Seattle in 2021 and six more last season.

Graveman wouldn't be too expensive to acquire and would make a big impact pitching in the seventh and eighth inning for the Angels helping to set up for Estevez and Moore.

5) LA Angels should already start thinking about trading for Alex Lange

This is easily the least likely target for the Angels to acquire, but Alex Lange is someone they should keep an eye on. He has settled into the Tigers' closer role and has had a great start to his season. The right-hander has allowed just two runs in 16 innings of work (1.13 ERA) and has converted six save opportunities in seven attempts.

Lange has not allowed a run in his last 13 appearances. He's gone 12.1 innings, allowing just five hits and four walks with 21 strikeouts in that span.

The talented right-hander is armed with one of the best curveballs in the game. He's held hitters to a .184 average with a .164 xBA on that pitch this season, a pitch he uses 56.8% of the time. Last season he held opponents to a .190 average with a .174 xBA with just two home runs allowed with that pitch. He used it 48.8% of the time last season. Lange's curveball, sinker, and changeup are three really effective pitches.

Lange might be new to the closer role, but he's not new to high leverage. Last season he racked up 21 holds which was tied for 18th in the league, but was just a couple shy of the top-ten. He was used very heavily by A.J. Hinch as his 71 appearances tied for fifth in all of baseball, and he more often than not was successful.

The reason I believe Lange is much more unlikely to be acquired by the Angels is his contract situation. Lange doesn't even start arbitration until the 2025 season, so he won't reach free agency until 2027 or 2028 at the earliest. This makes the Tigers less likely to deal him, however, with Lange being 27-years-old and the Tigers not planning on competing, it shouldn't be completely ruled out. The Angels would have to give up a lot, probably more than they'd be comfortable with, but it is important for this team to win right now.