One other yr and as soon as once more, the Los Angeles Angels is not going to attain the postseason.
This shouldn’t be a shock; the Angels have reached the postseason simply as soon as whereas Mike Trout has been within the majors and squandered the whole Shohei Ohtani period. The Angels tried to alter that with an ill-fated trading spree on the deadline solely to fall out of rivalry.
At the very least the Angels is not going to have false hope this yr. The Angels are sellers as they maintain the third-worst document within the majors. Let’s check out three potential commerce chips.
Reduction pitcher Carlos Estevez
Estevez thrived in his first season as a full-time nearer in 2023. He made his first All-Star Recreation whereas posting a 3.90 ERA over 62.1 innings as he notched 31 saves. Though he additionally posted a 1.492 WHIP and issued 31 walks, Estevez struck out 78 batters to assist reduce the injury.
Though his ERA doesn’t point out as such, Estevez has been higher this season. He has posted a 4.76 ERA in his 17 innings, albeit with a 1.176 WHIP and a 3.96 FIP, hanging out 17 batters with three walks. Estevez will not be considered as a ninth-inning possibility by groups, however he’s thought-about one of many most likely players on the Angels to be traded on the deadline. Groups are all the time in search of energy arms within the bullpen, and Estevez matches the invoice.
Reduction pitcher Hunter Strickland
Strickland signed a minor league contract with the Angels after posting an 11.45 ERA and a 2.273 WHIP in his 11 innings in Triple-A in 2023, hanging out eight batters with 12 walks. He struggled in his two appearances at Triple-A for the Angels, permitting three runs on 4 hits and a stroll over his two innings. Nonetheless, the Angels promoted him to the majors on April 8 as they wanted assist in the bullpen.
Strickland has been a revelation since. He has posted a formidable 1.88 ERA and a 0.792 WHIP over his 24 innings coming into Saturday, hanging out 21 batters with solely 4 walks. The Angels are usually not prone to obtain a prime prospect for Strickland, however he might convey again a stable piece. He has been effectively value that minor league deal.
Outfielder Taylor Ward
Ward has quietly been a decent a part of the Angels lineup, having posted a .265/.346/.449 batting line with 45 homers and 55 doubles from 2021 by 2023. The issue is that Ward solely had 1,210 plate appearances over 297 video games in that stretch, having battled accidents that included a number of facial fractures after being hit with an Alek Manoah fastball final yr.
Ward has continued his stable efficiency this season, posting a .268/.333/.469 batting line in his 240 plate appearances coming into Saturday, hitting 11 homers and 10 doubles. He’s able to taking part in each outfield corners and has frolicked at third base and heart. As Ward is below staff management by 2026, he stands out as the Angels’ most tasty commerce chip.
