The Angels are coming off the worst season in franchise historical past. They misplaced 99 video games for the primary time. Solely the White Sox, Rockies and Marlins had a worse run differential. The Angels are taking part in like a rebuilding staff, even when they haven’t gotten right here deliberately.
Halos brass continues to withstand the rebuilding label. Proprietor Arte Moreno mentioned two weeks in the past that he plans to approve a payroll improve and expects the staff to compete for a playoff spot. Common supervisor Perry Minasian expressed related sentiments at his end-of-season press convention. The Angels aren’t about to tear the roster to the studs. On the similar time, they’ll’t run issues again whereas solely tinkering with the bullpen (as they did final offseason) and anticipate markedly higher outcomes.
Whether or not they embrace a short-term reset or look to steadiness the MLB roster with out dealing from one of many league’s worst farm techniques, there’s a case for transferring Taylor Ward. The 30-year-old left fielder has been the topic of commerce hypothesis courting again to final offseason. The Pirates and Royals reportedly checked in at the newest deadline. Nothing got here collectively. Pittsburgh ended up buying Bryan De La Cruz from the Marlins as a substitute. The Royals didn’t deal with their outfield on the deadline however claimed Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman off waivers just a few weeks later.
Buying and selling Ward over the summer season would have been promoting a bit low. After a robust first couple months, he had a dismal stretch between June and July. From June 1 to the beginning of play on deadline day, Ward hit .175/.280/.313 whereas putting out at a 28% clip. He had a .227/.309/.401 season line at that time. He wasn’t trending nicely as a lineup increase for a contender.
Ward hit significantly better as soon as the deadline handed. From July 30 on, he turned in a stout .282/.348/.471 slash over 230 plate appearances. He reduce his strikeouts to a extra manageable 23.9% clip and drilled 9 dwelling runs. Ward concluded the season with 25 longballs and a .246/.323/.426 displaying that’s about consistent with his profession trajectory. He’s a barely above-average hitter who performs roughly league common protection in left area. He has crushed left-handed pitching (.315/.374/.509) over the previous two seasons whereas placing up league common numbers (.229/.314/.399) with out the platoon benefit. It’s not a star profile, however that’s a priceless common.
The Halos management Ward for an additional two seasons. He certified for early arbitration in 2023 as a Tremendous Two participant, so he’s already in line for a notable wage. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz tasks him for a $9.2MM sum subsequent season, the best within the Halos’ arbitration class. He’ll in all probability be in line for round $12-14MM in his remaining yr of membership management.
Ward isn’t too dissimilar from Lane Thomas, whom the Nationals traded to the Guardians at this yr’s deadline. Thomas was a bit of extra inexpensive, taking part in on a $5.45MM deal in his penultimate arbitration yr. The midseason commerce meant Cleveland was selecting up a yr and a half of his providers fairly than two full seasons. Washington landed a trio of prospects, headlined by current second-round decide Alex Clemmey and higher minors utility infielder José Tena. That’s a basic comparability level for what the Angels may look for Ward in the event that they have been prepared to maneuver him for prospects.
Primarily based on Moreno’s and Minasian’s feedback, which may not be a consideration. The Angels haven’t merely mentioned they consider they’ll compete in 2025. Their deadline exercise backed that up. Los Angeles didn’t commerce anybody who was not an impending free agent regardless of fielding curiosity in gamers like Ward, Luis Rengifo and Tyler Anderson.
Even when the Halos don’t wish to make a commerce with a agency eye to the longer term, they might look to deal Ward to web large league pitching. The Angels have one of many worst rotations in MLB. They’ve tended to draw back from vital free agent investments in pitchers, an organizational desire that appears to stem from possession because it crosses a number of entrance workplaces. Buying and selling prospects for rotation assist solely continues the pattern of short-sighted strikes that obtained them on this place.
There aren’t many gamers they’ll in all probability be prepared to maneuver off the MLB roster. They’re not going to commerce Logan O’Hoppe or Zach Neto. Rengifo’s worth dropped when he underwent season-ending wrist surgical procedure in August. Anderson had a poor second half and has minimal enchantment on a $13MM wage. Buying and selling him for a modest return subtracts one among their few secure sources of innings.
The Angels aren’t precisely overflowing with outfield expertise both, however left area is a relatively simpler place to deal with. That would come internally. Mike Trout has already mentioned he may transfer off heart area in an effort to remain wholesome. His arm in all probability matches higher in left than in proper. Even when they transfer Trout to proper (or kick Ward to that nook so Trout can deal with left area), that would block one of many easiest paths to including some punch to the lineup. This can be a respectable class at no cost agent nook outfielders, with gamers like Anthony Santander, Teoscar Hernández, Tyler O’Neill and Michael Conforto obtainable. Buying and selling Ward for a starter would clear a path for a free agent pursuit from somebody in that group.
Pittsburgh and Kansas Metropolis may renew their curiosity. The Bucs obtained little or no out of De La Cruz, whereas Grossman and Pham are free brokers. The Reds, Phillies, Braves, Blue Jays and Padres are different groups that would search for nook outfield assist this winter. The Tigers and Crimson Sox are among the many groups that’ll be searching for right-handed bats.
Picture courtesy of USA Right now Sports activities.
