According to a report from Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Angels have received trade interest on several of their controllable players this offseason. Infielder Luis Rengifo, catcher Matt Thaiss, left-hander Jose Suarez as well as outfielders Taylor Ward and Mickey Moniak are all pieces who have reportedly been asked after to this point in the winter.
That clubs would see the Angels as a potential trade partner is hardly a surprise. With Shohei Ohtani having departed the club in favor of Chavez Ravine, the club figures to be all but forced to begin a significant retool of their roster if they hope to improve upon their consecutive 73-win campaigns in 2022 and ’23 even after parting ways with the most valuable player in the sport.
While that could see the club dabble in the free agent market, where they’ve been connected to left-hander Blake Snell and veteran slugger J.D. Martinez recently, it seems unlikely the club would be able to completely retool their roster just through free agency even as RosterResource projects the club for a payroll of just $153MM next season, more than $60MM below their payroll in 2023. As such, it’s hardly a surprise that the Angels would consider exploring the trade market, particularly given reports earlier this month that they have been aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching via trade.
With all that being said, each of the rumored players garnering interest are controllable, inexpensive pieces who could prove key to Anaheim’s hopes of contending in 2024 and beyond. According to Rosenthal, the club’s willingness to deal any of the aforementioned players could hinge on the willingness of ownership to spend to replace the outgoing talent on the open market. It’s possible that between money spent on a replacement and the trade return the club could receive for their controllable talent, the Angels could improve their overall outlook even by trading away a fairly key piece in their current 2024 outlook.
Rengifo, 27 in February, is coming off the best season of his career in 2023. After entering the All Star break with a mediocre .219/.312/.326 slash line, the switch-hitter caught fire down the stretch with a .318/.374/.587 the rest of the way until his season came to an end due to a torn biceps tendon that ended up requiring surgery. With Rengifo expected to be ready for Spring Training, however, it’s easy to see why rival clubs would be interested in his services. Overall, Rengifo posted a solid 114 wRC+ while playing passable defense all around the diamond, with time spent at second base, third base, shortstop, and all three outfield spots over the course of the 2023 season. That positional flexibility paired with a solid bat would make Rengifo a worthwhile addition for most any team, and the fact that he can be controlled for two seasons surely makes him all the more enticing for rival clubs, and the presence of Brandon Drury could allow the Angels to replace Rengifo at the keystone fairly seamlessly.
Thaiss and Suarez, on the other hand, are not quite as obviously enticing as Rengifo. Thaiss slashed just .214/.319/.340 overall last season in 307 trips to the plate while posting average defensive marks behind the plate, while Suarez missed most of 2024 with shoulder issues and struggled to a 9.62 ERA in six starts prior to that trip to the IL. With that being said, each could nonetheless be of interest to clubs.
Catching depth is always something clubs are on the hunt for, and Thaiss offers an average bat and glove for the role with enough offensive potential that he could even have further upside as a tandem catching option should his offense take a step forward at some point. Thaiss also bats left-handed, making him a potentially useful pinch-hitter off the bench on days where he isn’t catching. Suarez, meanwhile, was an extremely valuable lefty swingman for the Angels in 2021 and ’22, with a 3.86 ERA across 207 1/3 innings of work. Given the fact that Suarez and Thaiss are controllable for three and four more seasons respectively, they’d be affordable options for clubs in need of a catcher or flexible pitcher who can throw from the left side.
It’s easy to see why Ward and Moniak would be attractive to rival clubs, but they may be difficult for the Halos to part with this offseason. Ward has become one of the club’s steadiest offensive producers in recent years, with a .265/.349/.446 slash line in 297 games since the start of the 2021 campaign. Ward is likely penciled in for everyday duty in one of the outfield corners not only for 2024, but for seasons to come, as he won’t be a free agent until after the 2026 campaign. Moniak, meanwhile, enjoyed a breakout season in his first full season as an Angel in 2023, slashing a respectable .280/.307/.495 with a wRC+ of 114 in 85 games. Moniak is also the club’s best option in center field besides Mike Trout, who has dealt with injuries more and more frequently in recent years and may benefit from additional rest in the form of occasional DH starts as he stares down his 33rd birthday in August.
In terms of the potential return headed to Anaheim should any of these players be dealt, it’s easy to assume the club would focus on bolstering their pitching staff in any deal. The club posted a respectable 101 wRC+ as a team in 2023, and while that includes the incredible production of Ohtani, its fair to point out that healthy seasons from the likes of Trout and Ward as well as continued development from key youngsters like Nolan Schanuel, Logan O’Hoppe and Zach Neto could all help the club make up for some of Ohtani’s lost production.
By contrast, the team posted an ERA of just 4.64 in 2023 even with Ohtani contributing 132 innings of 3.14 ERA baseball. The rest of the club’s rotation was essentially league average, with Patrick Sandoval’s 4.11 ERA (109 ERA+) leading the pack. Meanwhile, the club’s bullpen posted a disastrous 4.88 ERA that ranked bottom-six in the majors last year. Given those massive shortcomings, the addition of impactful pitching talent figures to be the Halos’ best hope of getting Trout back to the postseason for the first time since 2014.
If I was PM I wouldn’t deal Rengifo. They will need a third baseman by May……
Can’t Stefanic play third?
Does anyone know Rengifo’s defensive abilities at SS?
(Let’s assume he plays as good defense as Arcia)
If you were the Braves and you could acquire Rengifo to either take over at SS for Arcia and even possibly rotate between LF for Kelenic, and use Grissom/Arcia as a versatile bench piece would you??
Let’s say the cost is Arcia or Vaughn Grissom, JR Ritchie, and Drew Hackenburg or someone rated similarly??
If we are assuming that is what it would have taken to get Rengifo, I would think the Braves would do that deal. Kind of makes Fletcher a bit more of a dumb acquisition though.
Fletcher is a better SS than Rengifo and that’s not saying much.
Fletcher can’t hit he is a liability for the club
I don’t fully understand the hate towards Arcia. Dude is obviously not the best major league shortstop, but on a team of stars he can easily be the defensive first starter they need.
People seem to forget that he once was a highly rated prospect, in many eyes more highly thought of than Albies. Milwaukee promoted him early and he struggled. Not every prospect does great their first few years (and definitely that could be said about Arcia). But after being given the reigns at SS last year for Atlanta he did quite well. Why do you think that Renigfo would do any better than Arcia did last year? For that matter why do you think Renigfo can repeat his second half success?
The grass is NOT always greener on the other side.
LoL I wonder what you would have thought back in the days of Raphael Belliard.
I fully realize that, but Rengifo is 22, cost controlled for longer, and, unless ue resigns another cheap extension, the Braves are going to have to replace Arcia at the end of 2025 anyways.
Also, I loved me some Raphael Belliard…lol Although, he was really good defensively. He wasn’t Andrelton Simmons good, but he was still a top defensive SS. Arcia is FAR from that.
Idk, maybe I’m spoiled from having Dansby, but Grissom was ABSOLUTE hot garbage at SS, and Arcia is just extremely limited from a range standpoint.
I think he ultimately got better defensively as the season wore on, so maybe he’ll continue to grow with consistent playing time.
His numbers were also largely carried by a hot streak, but he basically had the reverse season that Rengifo had.
Rengifo is only 22, and other than SP, the Braves need to stay cheap filling out their their team.
I think Fletcher likely makes keeping both Arcia and Rengifo redundant, so the Braves would likely have to include Arcia in any Rengifo deal, or they could use him in a trade for a SP to a SS needy team.
It isn’t so much that I don’t really like Arcia, though. It is more about simply improving the team in any way possible for this season and moving forward.
I think Rengifo could thrive in the Braves system, and he wouldn’t have any pressure on him being able to bat 7th or 8th.
It was more just a thought, but remember I also only would even want Rengifo if he’s a solid defender at SS. If not, then it really wouldn’t even be an upgrade over Arcia, and then prospect capital could be better used elsewhere.
Also, idk if Kelenic is going to be able to become their full-time LF’er, or if they’re going to have to use him in a platoon situation.
Plus, we don’t even know of Vaughn Grissom can play the OF, or if he’s even going to be able to hit consistently enough at the ML level.
The Braves are a championship caliber team, so anywhere they can improve would help them come playoff time.
Uh what? Rengifo is not 22. He’s almost 27.
Oh dang, I completely misread his ref page wrong…
Yeah, completely scratch that deal. Horrible take by me…lol
I originally thought he was younger, had several years of cheap control, showing signs of improved hitting, flexible defensively, but I also thought that he might be a quality defender.
Wrong, wrong, maybe, correct, DEAD WRONG!! lol
I apologize guys, just disregard my previous comment..
I don’t hate arcia. He is a solid player, but I was saying that if rengifo provided more flexibility than Grissom I could see the Braves making that trade. My understanding is that Rengifo can also play LF even if he isn’t the best defensively there. In my scenario we would keep arcia and trade Grissom to improve the bench and Rengifo could handle some of the LF duties if Kelenic needs a platoon or struggles.
I am old enough to have seen belliard play. He was very light hitting, but back then the Braves had better pitching to make up for the offensive short comings. Baseball now is different and no amount of pitching dominance would have helped the Braves against the Phillies in the playoffs this year.
I am not a fan that says oh the Braves should trade so and so to make the team better offensively or defensively. I do believe that the Braves need one or 2 more starters to soak up some innings and a reserve outfielder and maybe another backup infielder. They could very well find these type of players through free agency, but if a trade does happen I see Grissom and not arcia traded.
Love it. Someone actually admitted when they were wrong. Thank you richardc.
Rengifo has terrible feet. He can’t play short or second. If the Angels can get something of value for him they should trade him.
That goes for virtually everyone listed.
Washington will work with him and correct it. Wash is an excellent defensive coach. They mentioned at the PC
If true, scratch that deal then..lol
See Semien. Dude was a terrible defender before Wash got his hands on him
If they could get a janitor in trade for Suarez they should take it. I agree Rengifo should be traded but I like Moniak. I noticed Adell isn’t mentioned which probably means his value is down to zero in the eyes of other teams needing outfield help.
Now is the time to play Adell fulltime. The upside is that he becomes a regular and the downside is a better draft pick.
JB – Every time Adell comes to the plate he’s a liability with his strikeout rate at 37.7% in the majors over parts of 4 seasons and a walk rate of 5.2% over that same period. He wasn’t much better in the minors. Until he gets control of that, he can’t be a fulltime player. (Not to mention a career BA or .214.) He’s a rally killer at best.
What is Rengifo’s best position if he was asked to man just one ???
He might be able to play third. I really don’t know. His first step is so bad. Maybe Washington will force him to work on it.
I wouldn’t mind the Angels going into the year with Rendon and Rengifo getting ABs at third and DH. But this team doesn’t use Rengifo properly. I hope that changes.
Bench warmer when the angels are playing defense.
No Halo, we need to get rid of him while he has any value at all. He was the second most frustrating Angel to watch next to Velasquez.
Ron Washington is a wiz when it comes to helping infielders reach their potential.
Typically, using the Braves previous examples, it took him about two offseasons for each player to really start to show any significant improvements, but he did help several Braves tremendously.
He’s significantly improved the defense of Austin Riley, Dansby Swanson, Ozzy Albies, and we’ve seen Arcia continue to make strides defensively as well.
Riley always had the arm, but he was described as being slower at 3B, yet Wash helped turn him into an above average fielding third basemen.
Wash is DEFINITELY going to be able to improve the Angels infield defense, if he has the actual time to work one on one with his players.
Even if he isn’t able to consistently work with his guys on an individual basis, you can rest assure he’s going to make sure his infield instructor is a dang good one.
I hope Rengifo is traded while he has some value.
2B and 3B. Can also play some corner outfield in a pinch.
Pass
By no means should he be a full time SS…dude has a glove made of tin. His range isn’t the greatest, and his footwork is awful.
ALL OF THE ABOVE. Throw in Rendon for a packet of seeds. Peppercorn. Thx.
It’s time for the Angels to tear it down and rebuild. After Trout, Ward, Ohoppi, Neto and Shamuel the rest won’t get us to the playoffs. Trade Moniak, Drury, Rengifo and everyone else for young controlable pitching and have a good draft this year and we can contend in 25!
Save the payroll space for next season! Don’t pull another Rendon move and sign Snell. His best years have already happened.. use the 8th pick on a starting pitcher and continue developing the starters we already have!
If they do what you suggested, they won’t contend for another 4-5 years. Might as well trade everyone over 25 years of age including Trout.
People are clueless regarding the Angels, which is common of most fans regarding any team they don’t pay much attention to.
But they don’t have the wisdom to know it.
Some people with a little knowledge feel they have the right to criticize, ignorance is the gift they possess.
More like mid-April.
Trade them all but get good prospects. Though I question perry’s ability in trades.
Which is precisely why I would trade none of them because they will get even less in return. They should sign a front line starter like Snell or at least Monty and a couple solid middle relievers and save the rest for next year. Maybe JD Martinez or Justin Turner for DH on a one year deal with incentives.
The Angels should sign mid tier guys they can flip at the deadline for prospects.
I love this idea. Anything to shake up the roster, we need Trout in the playoffs.
Those top tier free agents need to want to come to Anaheim first. Making an impact trade or two will help.
Wait you question PMs ability in trades? Didn’t he acquire Moniak and O’Hoppe? Didn’t he draft Neto, Bachman, Joyce and Schanuel? TF are you talking about?
Pretty sure he can scout and knows what he is doing!
Yeah, Perry has quickly and unfairly gotten a bad reputation in the eyes of several Angel’s fans.
Not all of the Angel’s bad moves have actually been Perry’s fault. Nor is it his fault that they’ve been poorly ran for years now.
Sarcasm I assume?
a drury trade would make the rivas claim make a little bit more sense, i see one of him or rengifo maximum getting moved this offseason. thaiss was probably talked about before stassi was shipped out, and ward or estevez are the other names i could reasonably see moved. sandoval and moniak, maybe canning could play roles on other teams, but a team would have to pry them away given their control situations
Drury to the Padres for…
Padres aren’t trading premium prospects for Drury. They have enough IF.
Suarez was so horrible last year, seemed to be throwing batting practice in the game I watched against the Mariners. He had absolutely nothing on his pitches.
To his defense, he was injured last season and missed most of the year. Look at his previous two season stats for a better indication of Suarez. I wouldn’t trade him now when his stock is low–he’s a decent bet for a rebound season next year.
Padres should inquire on Mickey moniak
-he is a LHH
-plays CF
-grew up in Encinitas
Angels won’t just hand over Moniak. Need to get something in return (MLB-ready); a couple of middling prospects won’t do. Angels don’t ‘need’ to trade Moniak–he’s young, under team control, and inexpensive.
Orange2001
I grew up playing ball with Mickey.
If I were the GM, I’d happily trade over such pieces. Pads and Angels line up nicely. Bring Mickey home.
So far, I like what I’ve seen from Moniak–just needs to work on plate discipline. I’d like to see what he can do in a full season. With that being said, I’m fine with the Angels trading him for the right price as they are covered in the outfield with Trout and Ward, plus they might sign someone like Teoscar Hernández.
I think Mickey continues building on his impressive ‘23 season. I also think you guys will hold onto him. Wishing the Angels well in ‘24.
2023 was the first above average hitting season that Mickey Moniak has had since…HIGH SCHOOL, 2016. He has been around forever and has done nothing at all until last year. You don’t trade premium prospects for that. The Pads would be far better off with a Kevin Kiermaier.
Javia
There is a reason he was a no.1 overall pick.
I’m not saying he’s worth a Jackson Merrill or even any top 100 guy.
But considering the Padres need a LHH outfielder, wouldn’t be opposed to sending a SP prospect over. Look at how Musgrove has improved since coming back. Mickey could do similar.
And Mickey’s under control for 5 more seasons. Kevin would cost 7mm+ AAV on a deal. That’s a lot when they only have 25mm or so to round out the roster.
Matt Bush was the first overall pick in the draft for the Padres. Donovan Tate was #3. Do you remember them? I do. One year of plus but far from exceptional production does not count for more than 7 years of crappy performances.
Javia
didn’t both Matt bush and Tate battle alcoholism?
To my knowledge, Mickey has a good head on his shoulders. While i can’t deny his lack of success prior to last year, it was his first year playing back in SoCal.
I’d happily take a gamble on moniak, who was on pace for a 4+ WAR season, over rushing a guy like Marsee.
No idea what tomorrow may be, but Moniak had a 35 KRate with a 2.8 BB rate. The odds of sustained success without drastic improvement is zero.
Padres and Angels make great trade partners…
They should combine franchises for a $400M payroll that still watches the playoffs on TV.
Bring in Mickey Moniak, AJP
Heard the Savannah Bananas are making a play for Matt Thaiss.
I heard the bananas split.
Is that Matt Duffy in the thumbnail? Lol
Dang…Suarez already missed 2024 with shoulder issues!
I read that too and thought only the Angels could pull that off
Nostradamus apparently has a side hustle writing for MLBTR.
If I were the Angels I would try to sign both Snell and Josh Hader
Snell would be a bigger mistake than Anderson was last year.
Snell and Anderson are nothing alike. Snell has a much better track record, while Anderson has been mediocre his entire career. Signing Snell would be akin to the CJ Wilson signing…
Just what they need, another guy (Snell) who spends 50% of the season on the shelf…Hader I agree 100%.
They should just trade Trout to the Dodgers.
just take over payments
I Trout can’t be traded without his consent
If this team was smart they would actually rebuild.
They probably would have made the playoffs last year if it wasn’t for all those injuries. $60 million in available money goes a long way to getting much in Ohtani’s stats back. With more experience in young players and a new coaching staff they can compete this year.
100% agree. Injuries destroyed them. At one point right before the break they were 9 games over. Had they stayed healthy, they had a legitimate shot
Every team had injuries. The Angels didn’t have the depth to absorb them. That was the difference.
Lets be honest, no team had the depth to absorb that number of injuries. Trout, Ward, Rendon, Ohoppe, Neto, Drury, Moniak, Bachman, Joyce, Moore, Canning, Urshela, Rengifo, Adell all saw extended stays on the shelf. Show me a team that lost that many pieces at any give time and I’ll show you another 73 win (or worse) team.
I agree with Leeeenya . There is talent on this team and the depth keeps getting better under PM. Just think back at what they had. They have had some misses (like Giolito, Anderson,) but with the younger players especially they have done well.. This years injuries have been even worse than before. Not many teams can lose every player to the injured list that was on the starting roster, except Detmers and Estévez . Most of the best that were added were hert . Alot were affected by those injuries before or after going down. They did some little things really bad , managed the pen really bad. If Washington can change those things and they can limit the injuries, they possibly could win a lot of games in my opinion.
Not to mention that Ohtani spent about a month on the injured list and CJ Cron, who they traded for at the deadline spent the majority of his time on the injured list as well.
Realistically, the Anaheim Angels have no one on their current roster who could bring back a haul in trade and that includes Mike Trout.
Los Angeles* Angels
I’m expecting Anthopoulos to trade for Rendon any day now. He’ll pay 99% of the salary and get a PTBNL in return.
I would love to hear about the Mickey Moniak market.
Oh, it’s very robust! There is quite an appetite for Moniak out there. You can bet the cash considerations or PTBNL will be second to none !!!
One of the worst run organizations in baseball
As a 45 year Angels fan. I agree with you amd actually add on of the Top 5 worst run organizations in all of sports and really they are #1 in baseball.
I guess you never heard of the A’s.
They have hardly any income. The Angels do.
Sad but true.
Players with control are being checked on. Shocking.
Michael Trout to the Cubs
Only if Trout approves and he will not!
If the angels told him they wanted to trade him. I guarantee he would produce a list of teams he would accept a trade to instead of continuing to play where he’s not wanted.
Angels scouting and development is terrible if they do a full rebuild they’ll be the Royals for the next decade.
Agreed. They just need to stick with the core of youngsters: Detmers, Neto, O’Hoppe, Schanuel, Bachman, Silseth, and Joyce as they continue to develop. While holding on to the inexpensive players under team control (mentioned in this article) such as Ward, Moniak, Rengifo, et al., and surround them with veteran pieces (i.e., DH, corner outfielder) and spend resources on pitching.
I think the Angels, privately know their pitching staff will preform better in 2024 with a 5 man rotation vs a six man rotation. And of course a change in the coaching staff
Yes, get trade offers for Sandy, Suarez, Adell, Ward, Drury, soto and Rengifo. Clear cap/roster space for new troops. GM Minaisan, true Cal. Angels fans got ur back!
Not me.
They can definitely retool
Question is should they
1B- Hoskins FA
2B- Drury
SS- Rengifo
3B- Rendon
DH – Martinez or Turner FA
CF – Moniak
RF – Bellinger FA
LF – Trout
Should attach some prospects to unload Tyler Andersons contract.
Maybe Dodgers. Previous success. 2 year deal. Back end option but was a front line starter for them. They seem to be dishing out cash. Wouldn’t hurt for them to acquire Anderson and prospects for doing such then flip prospects elsewhere for something (LF perhaps. Maybe Yelich from Brewers since they seem to be in cost cutting mode, swing a mega trade for Burnes and Yelich).
Buehler Miller Yamamoto Burnes Anderson
Forgot about Glasnow
Dodgers have Glasnow already.
Given the injury history can never have tok much pitching
Also, Luis Rengifo is the most satisfying name to say since Hiram Bocachica.
Not to satisfying to say as I’m yelling at my TV watching his miserable defense all around the field.
I laughed at this comment more than I should have. thank you kind sir.
You take the good with the bad.
Rengifo has a permanent case of headuptheassitis.
Lol, me too!
John Boccabella has entered the chat.
No way Rengifo starts over Neto at SS. Neto is GG caliber and will put up similar numbers with the bat. Put Rengifo at 3rd (with the glass man Rendon at DH). Hoskins (short term until Schanuel is ready) and Bellinger would be terrific additions and should replace Ohtani’s loss. Trade Thaiss and Adell. Add a few bullpen pieces and a frontline SP and they’ll have a shot (if they can stay healthy).
SS Neto
1B Hoskins
2b Drury
3b Rengifo
C Ohoppe
RF Bellinger/Trout
CF Trout/Bellinger
LF Ward/Moniak
DH Rendon
Rengifo would go crazy on the braves
And now come all the reports that the Dodgers overpaid, he’s too small, he isn’t good enough for the Big Apple, his cutter won’t play in MLB, etc…..
If Trout is lucky, they’ll trade him so he can have a chance at a World Series championship before he retires! What a waste of such a great player, if he never leaves LA he’ll probably never get to play for a World Series champion!
True. He’ll be another wasted player just like Ted Williams who has gone into obscurity.
…and the Teoscar goes to….
Deeds is an awful writer. “Meanwhile” has to come at the start of a sentence; it can’t be in the middle, set off with commas. How do you screw this up twice in an article, get it right the third time you use it, then not go back and fix? What a hack. Get a new job. Writing isn’t for you, kid.