Angels LHP Reid Detmers Named 'Dream Match' For AL Contender

When general manager Perry Minasian was still in charge of the Los Angeles Angels, he shied away from the idea that he should trade the best players on his team to recoup as many assets as he could to start a true rebuild.

That decision could have been because Angels owner Arte Moreno is adamant about not making franchise-altering trades that would shake up his organization, but nonetheless, the top trade chips were off the table.

The Angels fired Minasian a couple of weeks ago and replaced him with prolific executive John Mozeliak, who is known for making the kind of trades Moreno is reluctant to participate in. That could mean the Halos may actually sell off some talent to help the health of the organization by the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

The most notable players that should be available for trade that aren’t named Mike Trout, who probably won’t get moved despite it being the right move for both sides, are right-handed starter José Soriano, outfielder Jo Adell and lefty starter Reid Detmers.

Soriano, Adell and Detmers are under contract through at least 2028 and could bring in massive returns from teams that are desperate to get an edge in the playoffs. Starting pitching is at a premium every year, but maybe not more than it is this season, meaning Soriano and Detmers may garner the most interest.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote about each contender’s weaknesses as well as best match and dream match, citing Detmers as both the best and dream match for the Chicago White Sox.

The White Sox are way ahead of schedule with its rebuild and are tied with the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central but lack a real difference-maker outside of right-hander Davis Martin.

“Don't let his 4.13 ERA fool you,” Passan wrote Thursday. “The stuff is premium, the strikeouts are plentiful and the ability to carve good lineups is vital for any potential White Sox playoff run.

“At the same time, while Detmers is Chicago's best match, he's also a dream because it's unclear if Angels owner Arte Moreno will allow interim general manager John Mozeliak to trade any players with multiple years of club control. He should. The Angels need a face-lift, tummy tuck and 1,000 units of Botox. And the White Sox offer prospect optionality to fill a woebegone Angels system.”

The White Sox won’t want to give up too much of its future, but since Detmers isn’t a rental and is exactly the type of arm the team should be bringing in, Chicago may be willing to part with a pair of top prospects to bring in the strikeout specialist.