Los Angeles Angels Trade Deadline Overview
Last season, the Los Angeles Angles went 85-77, remaining in postseason contention until the final days of the season. This year, with a plethora of injuries to the pitching staff and an offense virtually devoid of power, the Angels are struggling to stay out of the American League West basement.
The 2016 season has been a difficult one thus far for the Los Angeles Angels. Their starting rotation has been decimated by injries, with C.J. Wilson, Garrett Richards and the ongoing rehab of Tyler Skaggs. Huston Street has already made his annual trek to the disabled list as well, missing a month with an oblique strain.
With those injuries, the Angels have struggled to find any consistency in their rotation. Los Angeles ranks 21st in the Majors in terms of their rotation’s ERA, with that 4.59 ERA boosted by Richard’s performance. Jered Weaver has been quite hittable, while Nick Tropeano‘s ERA may look good, but his 1.554 WHiP suggests regression is inevitable.
Offensively, the Angels are not in much better shape. As of Monday, they rank 14th in the American League with 43 home runs, despite the presence of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols. Their ability to hit for extra bases is practically non-existent, as they rank 12th in doubles and triples as well. Add in a minor league system universally considered to be among the worst in baseball, and the Angels seem to be in a great deal of trouble.
As we approach the trade deadline, let us take a look at what the Los Angeles Angels may do as the trade deadline approaches.
Next: A look at the salaries and contracts
Who could the Angels actually trade?
Typically, for a team struggling like the Angels are, the first pieces to be put on the block would be those in the final years of their contract. However, few of those pieces would actually have any value to most teams whatsoever. Weaver has been awful, and Wilson has yet to throw an inning this season. With the setback that he suffered during his rehab, one has to wonder when he will be able to return to the mound.
The Angles also lost Geovany Soto, who had been performing well in a platoon role, for the next four to six weeks with a torn meniscus. Soto had produced a solid .283/.338/.483 batting line with three home runs in 67 plate appearances before his injury, and with a $2.8 Million contract for this year, would have made an attractive trade chip. If he shows that same prowess with the bat upon his return, he could be someone teams inquire about.
Perhaps the two best pieces that the Angels have to offer are in their bullpen. Joe Smith is in the final year of his three year contract and has performed relatively well this season, although his 4.07 ERA and 5.00 FIP belie his 1.192 WHiP. Fernando Salas, meanwhile, has had quite a resurgent year, posting a 2.22 ERA and a 0.904 WHiP in his best season since 2011.
While there are a few pieces that could be of interest to a contenting team, it is highly unlikely that any of those players that could be on the trade block would bring back a return that would significantly change the face of the franchise. Unless….
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Obligatory Mike Trout trade mention
A few weeks ago, the speculation that the Angels would trade Mike Trout was rampant. Given their struggles on the field, and their lack of depth in the farm system, trading Trout would dramatically alter the future of the franchise.
However, if the Angels have any inclination toward contending in the next year or two, Mike Trout is going to be a large part of that. As arguably the best player in baseball, and locked up through 2020, there just is no reason to make that move.
That is, there is no reason to make that move unless a team truly wants to blow the Angels out of the water. As we discussed a couple of weeks ago, the type of package that would entice the Angels to actually move their star outfielder would be the type that would literally alter the face of either franchise, depleting the farm system of any team interested in Trout.
Quite simply, Mike Trout will not be going anywhere. That is, unless the Angels are given that Godfather offer, and is there a general manager out there that will take such a large gamble, even though Trout is one of the three best players in baseball?
Next: What to expect
What to expect in the coming weeks
Chances are, any major moves that the Los Angeles Angels will be making will occur this offseason. While both Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson may be impossible to move at the trade deadline, both contracts will be coming off the books next season, giving the Angels a bit of payroll flexibility if they are looking to supplement their roster.
Smith and Salas will likely have quite a few teams interested in acquiring their services. Over the past few seasons, a strong bullpen has proven to be a very effective way for a team to overcome deficiencies in the starting rotation at a relatively inexpensive price. For teams that may not have the capital to acquire that top flight starter, strengthening the middle of the bullpen is a much easier price to pay.
Unfortunately for the Angels, that means that they are not likely to get back the type of prospects that will make a dramatic difference in the overall depth of the farm system. Yet, that does not mean that they cannot get back pieces that could help going forward; just that those top level prospects are not likely to come back.
Next: MLB Mock Draft 3.0
The Los Angeles Angels are in the difficult position of being in the midst of a rough season and not having much to offer a contending team in trade. They may well make a couple of moves at the deadline, but it is highly unlikely that the Angels will get back any pieces that are truly difference makers.