Trade Deadline Preview: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Jun 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angeles Angels pitcher Grilli (39) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Los Angels beat Kansas City 6-2. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

I think we can all agree that the Angels biggest weakness is their bullpen, basically every aspect of it. Their offense is solid and starting pitching is good about ninety-five percent of the time which is all you need to win. There are times when their starting pitching falters but that is a hazard every team has to deal with, a pitcher having a bad outing. However they could benefit from getting another starter. So for the Angels it seems most prudent to address the areas of the bullpen where they can improve and find a starter that they could possibly add.

1. The Angels need a closer. Sure, they did just trade for Jason Grilli but he’s a guy who just lost his closing job with the Pirates before joining the Angels. If the Angels are smart they won’t start him out as a closer. A late-inning reliever maybe but no more than that. Joe Smith has been closing for the Angels lately and doing well, although he hasn’t had enough time to truly prove himself as an established closer which is what the Angels need.

2. If the Angels do decide to go with Smith as their closer then they’ll need a new setup man and it doesn’t appear that Grilli will be a guy that they can count on even though he’s had success in previous seasons, it appears the pitcher is on his way out.  They have guys like Cory Rasmus and Kevin Jepsen , and just signed another right-hander Rich Hill but they still need a strong lefty to round out the pen. The Angels need to be on the look out for relief pitchers to cover the mid to late innings.

3. The Angels have a good starting rotation in Garrett Richards, C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver but the back end of their rotation could use an upgrade. Tyler Skaggs, who was recently on the disabled list with a hamstring strain, can be seen as questionable. Can he stay healthy? Also both he and Hector Santiago have ERA’s over 4.00 which is not terrible is also not championship material.

Jun 28, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Los Angeles Angels third basemen Freese (6) singles in two runs against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Deciphering who will be on the trading block for the Angels is a tough one. Depending on who they decide to trade with or for will make a difference but here are a few possibilities.

1. Grant Green is a possibility. He has flexibility in the positions he can play, left field, second base and third base. The 26-year old is currently hitting .324 and would be helpful to any team that needs both offensive and defensive help.

2. Although 30-year old third baseman David Freese is only hitting .240 this year, he has been picking it up lately. He is a former All-Star and has a career .280 batting average. A team looking for a third baseman would be hard pressed to pass him by given his past success and the fact that he has been batting better now than in the beginning of the season. He also will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season.

3. Collin Cowgill would be a good trading piece for the Angels. He can play the entire outfield with ease. The 28-year old is having the best season of his career offensively batting .287 so there should be teams interested in him for his diversity on the field and hot bat.

Apr 16, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres relief pitcher  Street (16) throws during the ninth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Who might benefit the Angels pitching staff and stop their bullpen woes? Here are some candidates that would be within the Angels reach and would be able to bolster their entire pitching staff. They may not have a lot of prospects to offer but they have the deep pockets of Art Moreno who (as evidenced by the signings of Josh Hamilton and Albert Pujols) is willing to pay to help his team win.

1. A perfect closer solution could be Huston Street. The Padres are looking to sell and Street has always been solid. The 30-year old right-hander currently has an ERA of 0.90 which is insanely good. He has 22 saves and has struck out 32 batters in 3o innings of work. It might be hard for the Angels to put together a package that matches Street’s worth but it would be a game changing move for the Angels.

2. If the Angels’ owner Art Moreno is willing, the Angels could put their names in the hat to acquire a starter like Jeff Samardzija or David Price. Both have had amazing seasons and there is not a doubt in anyone’s mind about either. Every team wants one and/or both of them. The Angels do not the have the prospects but they have the money to make a deal of this magnitude happen.

3. Joe Thatcher of the Diamondbacks is a good option for a left-handed reliever. He has a career ERA of 3.26 but this season has posted a 2.63 ERA, getting 25 strikeouts in 24 innings of work. The Diamondbacks are big sellers and lots of teams will be after Thatcher, however, the Angels have the means to be a big contender for the 32-year old lefty.