While the middle of May might be too early to state that the Los Angeles Angels are out of contention, their plethora of injuries and struggles may prove otherwise. So why are they acquiring players like Brendan Ryan and Jhoulys Chacin?
Heading in to today’s slate of action, the Los Angeles Angels were in dire straits. Their top pitcher, Garrett Richards, had been lost for the season, needing Tommy John surgery. C.J. Wilson is on the 60 day disabled list due to a shoulder injury and will not be back until the middle of June at the earliest. Andrelton Simmons needed thumb surgery and is out for four to six weeks, at least. Add in the injuries to Andrew Heaney and the recent struggles of Hector Santiago, and the Angels in a difficult spot.
Currently ahead of only the Braves, Twins Astros and Padres, one would expect that the Angels would not be looking to bolster their roster for a run to the postseason this year. Given their aging roster and lack of top end talent in their minor leagues, one could imagine that the Angels would look to sell off a few pieces and look to rebuild.
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As logical as that plan would appear to be, it is the opposite of what the Angels have done over the past couple of days. Instead of possibly shopping some of their impending free agents and putting up the “For Sale” sign, they have gone forth and acquired Brendan Ryan and Jhoulys Chacin in an attempt to somehow salvage their season.
While Ryan was traded for cash considerations, making his presence as a depth piece for the Angels infield understandable, the trade for Chacin makes less sense. Yes, the rotation has been decimated by injuries and ineffectiveness, but Chacin is essentially putting a bandage on a gaping wound. While he has pitched better than his 1-2 record and 5.40 ERA would indicate, he is not the type of pitcher that can turn around the Angels fortunes.
To compound that problem, the Angels gave the Braves minor league lefty Adam McCreery. While he was not one of the Angels top 30 prospects, he still possesses a mid 90’s fastball and has struck out 49 batters in 38 professional innings. Standing at 6’8″, he does struggle with his control, as evidenced by his 33 walks, but if he can harness his control, could be a devastating part of a bullpen.
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Yes, the Los Angeles Angels have helped bolster their roster and pitching staff this season, but will those moves really matter? Instead of acquiring players, it may have been in their best interest to look at their roster and see what trade chips, aside from Mike Trout, that they have.