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

The Los Angeles Angels are a team trying to win right now. They've made that intention very clear by holding onto Shohei Ohtani at least for now, and they should continue to try to win at the deadline if they're in postseason contention.

Right now the team stands at 21-19. They're second in the AL West and are 1.5 games outside of a playoff spot. They're right in the thick of it, and should honestly have a much better record.

One area of concern for the Angels is the bullpen. Carlos Estevez and Matt Moore are great, but as we saw last night, the Angels don't have another reliever they can really trust in high-leverage spots. That has to change if this team wants to contend. Here're five names from the worst division in baseball, the AL Central, that they should keep an eye on.

1) LA Angels should already start thinking about trading for Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman was there for everyone to sign. He signed a one-year deal worth just $3.75 million to go to Kansas City and not even close. The southpaw has had a couple of rough outings in May which have inflated his ERA, but for the most part, he's been quite good out of that Royals bullpen. Angels fans saw it firsthand when he struck out two batters in a perfect inning.

Chapman is a pitcher who thrives with his velocity, and after experiencing a dip in New York, his average fastball velocity is up from 97.5 mph last season to 99.6 mph this season. That two mph difference is huge, and has helped Chapman look much closer to the dominant reliever he once was.

Chapman has 23 strikeouts in 14.2 innings of work which is outstanding. He has yet to allow a home run this season and has even toned down the walks. Chapman has issued seven walks in 14.2 innings pitched which is a lot, but his 11.3 BB% is actually lower than his career mark of 12.2%.

The southpaw isn't in his prime anymore, but the Royals are not competing and Chapman is absolutely going to get traded barring an unexpected winning streak that catapults Kansas City into contention. The return won't be anything too insane, and Chapman could make a big difference serving as the seventh inning guy.

Something this Angels bullpen lacks is a fireballer to come in and throw 100 mph, and Chapman is that guy. The fit makes a lot of sense.

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.

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.