Every LA Angels trade candidate and why they could go

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The Los Angeles Angels have already made two trades this offseason to try and improve their roster, acquiring Hunter Renfroe and Gio Urshela in separate deals. Perry Minasian likely has more up his sleeve.

The Angels have quite a few theoretical trade candidates on their roster who could be moved. Not all of them will, but I'd be surprised if Minasian wasn't fielding calls for these players.

Who are they and why could they be dealt?

1) LA Angels trade candidate Jared Walsh doesn't have a guaranteed place to play every day

I'm a big believer in Jared Walsh's bat and wish he wasn't on the block but after the Gio Urshela trade, Minasian is likely fielding calls on the slugger. Walsh struggled mightily in 2022 but it's fair to attribute that to injury. I expect a big bounce back in 2023.

The Angels traded for Gio Urshela and he is going to play every day in some capacity. The Halos have said they like him better at a corner infield spot, so when Anthony Rendon is healthy, Urshela will get most of the reps at first base. Yes, it's very possible the Angels hold onto Walsh as a bench piece, and if he re-discovers his swing it's possible he plays most days at first base, but I wouldn't be surprised if they move him.

2) LA Angels trade candidate Max Stassi is a contract to dump

Could the Angels be in play for a big-name shortstop? I certainly hope so. Doing so now would require them to go into the tax. If they trade Max Stassi, a guy making $7 million dollars in 2023 and 2024, that'd free up space that might allow them to sign a shortstop and come in under the tax.

This is a contract no team would want, and it'd be better if the Angels just held onto him and got into the tax, especially since Moreno can just put it on the new owner when he sells. With the Angels in likely money-saving mode and Stassi being such a disaster last season, don't be surprised if you hear his name in rumors (although I expect him to remain an Angel.)

3) LA Angels trade candidate Jo Adell has run out of chances

Jo Adell has been given numerous opportunities to claim a full-time role in the outfield for the Angels and it just hasn't worked out. He strikes out too much, doesn't walk enough, doesn't play good enough defense, and doesn't make enough contact. He has speed and power but hasn't put it together at the big-league level at all.

The Hunter Renfroe trade solidified the Angels outfield. Could he be the fourth outfielder? I suppose. Could he play in the minors until someone gets hurt? I suppose. Are these the best options for him and the Angels? Probably not. Both sides could use a fresh start. He can probably land the Angels a reliever from a team that doesn't plan on contending and thinks they can give Adell a shot at an everyday role.

4) LA Angels trade candidate Mickey Moniak is in the same boat

Mickey Moniak has not had quite the same opportunities Adell has had because he's dealt with numerous injuries, but he still has not panned out at this level. The Angels just traded for him at the deadline so the likelihood for him being dealt soon after isn't high, but it's not out of the question either.

Moniak will compete with Adell (if he's still here) for the fourth outfielder job. He hasn't really hit at the big league level and has many of the same issues Adell does offensively, but Adell played in 22 more games this season than Moniak has in his entire big league career.

If Adell stays and wins the fourth outfielder job or the Angels sign someone else to do it, Moniak becomes very available.

5) LA Angels trade candidate David Fletcher is not good enough to start

David Fletcher is not the answer at shortstop. He's simply not a good enough hitter and he's a primary second baseman so they don't get the same Gold Glove-caliber defense when he's at short. Shortstop is the weakest spot on the roster right now and Fletcher being traded could help clear up some money to sign Carlos Correa or Dansby Swanson.

I wouldn't be surprised if Fletcher starts on Opening Day, in fact, that's my expectation. However, if the Angels want to get even better, this is a spot to upgrade. Fletcher would be a fine utility infielder, but he just hasn't hit enough to warrant an everyday role.

6) LA Angels trade candidate Luis Rengifo could be sold high

Luis Rengifo enjoyed a breakout year this past season where he hit 17 home runs and earned himself an everyday role. I'm not as high on Rengifo as others due to his inability to get on base consistently and his poor middle infield defense, but I am curious to see how he does in 2023. Rengifo is penciled in as the second baseman right now.

With that being said, I wouldn't be surprised to see Rengifo be used as a trade chip to improve the roster. If the Angels don't believe in him long-term, it's possible this is where his value peaks. Teams have called about the infielder so I wouldn't be too shocked to see him go.

7) LA Angels trade candidate Andrew Velazquez shouldn't play for the Angels

Andrew Velazquez played in 125 games this past season for the Angels mainly due to David Fletcher being out. Velazquez is an elite defender but is so awful offensively he shouldn't even be a utility infielder.

Velazquez slashed .196/.236/.304 with nine home runs and 28 RBI for the Angels. He had a 53 OPS+ which is hard to fathom. I love Velazquez's glove and think he was snubbed in the Gold Glove conversation. However, his bat is non-existent. For that reason alone he should not be the backup option for the Angels. If another team values him at all, go get an arm they don't believe in or really anything.

8) LA Angels trade candidate Shohei Ohtani has to be somewhat available until he extends

You don't want to hear this, and I don't want to say it. The fact of the matter is, Shohei Ohtani cannot be considered untouchable until he signs an extension. He signed a contract for this season, the final year of team control, before hitting free agency in 2023. If Ohtani does not extend, the Angels must move him.

Trading him would be a disastrous outcome, and hopefully, Ohtani will commit to the Halos when the new ownership takes over. If he doesn't, the one thing the Angels absolutely cannot do is lose him for nothing. If he walks in free agency and the Angels don't get a haul of prospects and MLB-ready talent back, they messed this whole thing up. The hope is, of course, that he stays long-term. If he never commits, he has to be moved.

Next. Losing out on Willson Contreras is good and bad. dark

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Every Angels trade candidate and why they could go