The Angels have no hope of making a charge in the AL West and face a tough path to the Wild Card, but the club doesn’t appear to be ready to wave the white flag. To the contrary, the Halos are looking at a wide variety of potentially available starters, according to Jon Heyman of MLB Network (via Twitter).
Though they have battled into a plausible contending position, the Angels’ starting pitching situation remains quite problematic. The unfathomable loss of Tyler Skaggs has left an enormous hole in the organization and on the roster. With Andrew Heaney heading to the IL and JC Ramirez turning in messy rehab results, the rotation is full of inexperienced, less-than-ideal options.
Given the long odds of even reaching the postseason, it’s hard to imagine the Halos chasing the top rental arms. But the club does have good cause to consider controllable hurlers that will not only contribute now but help to fill out the rotation in the near future. Last winter’s signings of Matt Harvey and Trevor Cahill have been complete duds — which is always a risk, but especially so when you’re focused on short-term free agents. Repeating that approach probably won’t have a ton of appeal. But the Angels will surely also remain reticent to make a big commitment to a better veteran starter in free agency.
Trade talks make sense, then, particularly now that the L.A. organization has a greater abundance of prospects to work with. Of course, the team will also need to protect those assets as much or more as its future payroll capacity. An anemic talent pipeline has been a big problem in recent campaigns. The team is already enjoying the fruits of a more productive farm and will surely want to exercise caution lest it compromise its future talent base.
It’ll be interesting to see just how aggressively the Angels approach the starting pitching market. The preferred targets of GM Billy Eppler aren’t really clear. Heyman mentions Noah Syndergaard and Trevor Bauer — two of the best hurlers that could be moved this summer — but seemingly only by way of example. The report suggests the Angels have been looking at any and all possible arms. With value a paramount consideration for a team in this particular situation, a broad market exploration makes good sense.
To all the Angel fans I believe Ivan Nova and Dylan Covey are available. lol
I concur.
Sell, sell and sell some more.
The problem is, there are few pieces to sell. Cahill is horrible, Lucroy was sub par before Jake went Bo Jackson on him, and the only guys with any value are exactly the type of controllable pieces we’ll need to contend again anytime soon (Fletcher, La Stella, Goodwin, Buttrey).
So, we have Kole Calhoun and a couple of bullpen guys like Cam Bedrosian, maybe Hansel Robles.
I’d sell Calhoun now as his option should be declined, but he’s a fan favorite and there’s something to be said for playing meaningful ball in August/September.
I feel cam Bedrosian Robles Garcia Calhoun and Simmons are available
no simba. he is the best.
Great point! Might as well make some of your 2020 additions now.
You are focusing on the big team. All trades are focused on prospects. The halos have done a good job drafting and developing everything other than pitchers.
Mike Foltynewicz, Bryce Wilson, Touki Toussaint and Luiz Gohara for Jo Adell.
Add Kevin Maitan to make it even.
Flip Adell for Syndergaard and Wheeler.
Seems to be an overpay for the Mets including both….Adell has not played a single day in the majors regardless of his hype!
that’s what clubs want highly-touted prospects and Adell is that
Might have to add Matt Joyce to get Anaheim to bite.
I would see if Julio Teheran makes some
Sense for the Halos. Lowish salary can be brought back next year and isn’t totally inept. Especially if the Braves land a controllable starter, makes sense to move him. He would at least give the Angels innings and a chance.
Maybe Teheran & Trey Riley for Cam Bedrosian
No way Braves ship Teheran this year. They’ve barely got guys they can count on as it is and as much of a roller coaster Teheran is he’s decided to have a one of his good years this year, and it’s much needed and not at all expendable.
Why would the contending Braves who are currently in 1st place do that? You are that typical Halo clown.
We call them LA residents…
Touki “It’s metal to like clown” Toussaint?!
Adell is untouchable, he’s the starting right fielder next year after about a month in the minors to get the extra year of control.
You don’t trade future all stars.
We need to see Trout in the playoffs. Might be desperate on the Angels part, but as a MLB fan, I would love to see them go for it. The best player in the game routinely done when October rolls around is just not good for baseball.
Would love to see Trout in the playoffs two, however the Angels have been “going for it” for years and look where it got them.
It’s a shame great players like Trout and Abreu not in 2019 playoffs.
That’s the only reason I would support trading either one of them.
How can one be the best when they have nt won anything, ever?
Is this a serious question? Simple answer: yes, Trout is one of the best. A generational talent. The contributions of a single great player are rarely enough to carry a team to the postseason. It’s absurd to suggest the player is a lesser talent because they haven’t won in the playoffs. Try googling a list of the best players to never win a world series. Plenty of hall of fame names on that list.
Define not good for baseball when myself and all other baseball fans watched Griffey and Gwynn sitting out October for years. It’s part of the game. This is not the NBA.
^this
Abreu is not a great player.
Cam Bedrosian and Hansel Robles for one of the the Braves near ready arms? Bryce Wilson for them both maybe?
Though for me this is more of a backup to a backup plan.
Giles should be the main target and then CWS relievers. This is more of a last resort
In other news the sky is blue and water is wet.
or any angels news attract a bunch of trolls.
If they want Bauer then Adell would have to be part of the conversation.
Can’t wait til Dip Dip peddles Leake to the Angels
I wonder if they could get Greinke by taking on most of his contract in lieu of giving up top prospects? They have much less payroll on the books for next year compared to previous years. He’ll stabilize the front of the rotation now and for the future
AZ it has been reported is willing to pay up to 10 million per year of his 35 annual salary for a mid level prospect . I believe the Angels are on his no trade list .
he is on angels fans’ mortal enemy list.
If they are then he’s a moron. He decided to just leave the Angels the first time instead of having the chance to be part of a big run with him, Trout, and Pujols at the center. Instead, he’s twiddling his thumbs in Arizona and is probably getting traded for the second time in his contract.
F Greinke. He’s declining and way over paid.
Why don’t the angels just package Calhoun, Brandon Marsh, and maitan for kipnis and Bauer, calhoun would give them the mlb outfielder Cleveland needs and Kipnis can be a throw in to give the angels a second baseman while leveling out the salaries
Calhoun being a FA at the end of the year brings very little value. And dude is what he is… So he has hit a few more HR. Guys a nice defense OF. Put him on a team like the Dodgers and he is on the bench.
He’s more than a bench player, but not a ton of value. The extra option year actually might be a decent deal for someone the way he is producing.
Marsh doesn’t impress me. Neither does Maitan. Adell starts that conversation.
troll.
Exactly why am I a troll? Because of my opinion on two underperforming players?
There’s no logic in trading a player like Adell (floor=big league regular ceiling=superstar) for 1.5 years of Bauer. Especially when .5 of those years are more or less sunk. Dream on
Seems we have two options other than Simmon’s at SS, it may be time to sell high on him. I’m a big fan of his but he may be a best chip in a position of strength that could reap a #2 SP. Syndergaard ?
Next year T Cole comes home. Nice 1 and 2
Adell is not going anyway. PERIOD Halos go after Cole in off season, maybe Ryu,and some other starter. Ohtani back next year. Upton 1b in 2 years. Stay the course Billy halos long shot to make playoffs this year. Canning and Suarez should still be in minors were rushed up this year. Position players just about set for next year just go after starters in off season.
This, but add in a catcher too.
me concur!
Years of signing retread pitchers that are constantly injury prone on the cheap because payroll has been high for past hitter mistakes like Hamilton ,Wells and etc has caught up to them now..Granted in these years they lost two pitchers due to unforeseen deaths which hasnt helped..but the lack of development of decent pitching has also been an issue..and when they had it they traded it away.
Skaggs loss was huge is so many ways.
If the Angels pickup a starter on the free agent market, they are now still a starter short. I don’t know how they can trade for one, they have some talent in their system, but not enough for a good established major league pitcher.
They drafted a ton of pitchers in recent drafts. I like their offense, I wouldn’t touch a thing or trade away anything since the short term free agents were a bust. Like you said pick up a starter but I would go all in on starting pitchers in free agency. We tried last off season to snag a few but they went elsewhere. Hopefully free agents can see the lineup is there now and the depth of the team to sign on. Heaney, Ohtani, Canning, Pena isn’t a reliable 4 as you allude to, need at least two starters this off season. I’m hoping they go after Cole and a couple 3 or 4 arms. I just wouldn’t trade for arms after rebuilding the farm. RIP Skaggs
Angels stink they should not be buyers.
someone stinks its not the Angels who farted Perksy?
There pitching stinks, I’ll give you that, but it’s for obvious reasons the last few years with injuries and the unfortunate death of Skaggs. But their offense is sound and the farm is vastly improved. A few pitchers and they will be in a good position to contend consistently again.
Orioles should trade Bundy and Karns to Angels for 3 A-ball international guys.
I think this is more talk than reality. I do feel for what this team has gone through, but they’ve finally got some good prospects in the minors and they are going to flip them for a buyer’s market SP that still won’t net them a playoff position?
Just seems silly to me. Probably posturing for the fanbase more than anything.
ISN’T EVERBODY!!??
You guys could get SamardShark of the Giants for pretty cheap.
I’ve said it before but I’d call Pittsburgh about Chris Archer. He’s affordable salary wise and his recent struggles may have tempered his value a smidge. IMO that’s the type of arm the Halos should be looking for this time of year. Archer/Aaron Sanchez/Dylan Bundy/Daniel Norris ect. The off-season is the time to go big game hunting.
Last I checked we were 7 1/2 games out of first place… That is no hope? Who writes this stuff?
Probably someone who remembers current mlb playoff structure includes two wild card spots per league.
the Angels need to sellers not buyer at this point in the season.
learn english before trolling.
Give me the ball, coach. I just saw an infielder close out a game last… I got this.
If they buy it better not be a rental, slim chances at wild card but still a chance. No value on anyone they can sell. they could add someone controllable . I like the idea of combining a reliever or 2 and add one or more of our overrated prospects(Marsh, Jam Jones, Ward, Suarez,Canning, Walsh etc…) for a controllable starter or near ready starter for a run next year and years to come.
Halos should go after high salary SP with contracts beyond this year. Greinke makes sense as do other pitchers who can eat innings have a reasonable WHIP and aren’t coughing up homers. Yeah you have to overpay for SP but if the SP is already overpaid then the team will give less in return and take on more salary. Next year they’ll have more room in salary, then decide on Adell. Giving up on Calhoun this year is robbing Peter to pay Paul. He’s a plus defender plus power this year and playing decent plus he’s a good clubhouse guy. Halos have other guys to use. I’d say trade Rengifo, Marsh, and maybe even Suarez are available. Angel’s will drop $30 mil in payroll for 2020. I’d dip into that this yearand make further moves next year if need be. Halos can take on money, but will they? It’s an easier move versus unloading prospects.
dump guys who have shown to be completely unable to go a full season without injury vacations.
I don’t think/want @Angels should trade anyone. Just buy pitching if they can. Go over salary cap(?). We just beat the dodgers. We can beat Houston. Many of our best performers started at around $500,000 per year. I’ll add here, albeit irrelevant to this discussion, I wish we had kept Greinke. & had Segura too.