Interim GM John Mozeliak overhauled the roster by flipping veterans for a prospect haul headlined by Arjun Nimmala, earning high marks for prioritizing a long-term franchise rebuild.
The Los Angeles Angels had a busy trade deadline in what has been a different approach than what they have done in recent years.
Interim general manager John Mozeliak was busy working the phones, although they ended up keeping infielder Zach Neto and outfielder Mike Trout, although the latter expressed his desire to stay as he has a no-trade clause with the franchise.
The Angels did trade Jo Adell to the Cleveland Guardians and flipped starting pitcher Jose Soriano for a haul from the Toronto Blue Jays. In total, here is what the Angels did at the deadline.
Acquired INF Angel Arredondo from the Rangers for RHP Chase Silseth and C Logan O’Hoppe
Acquired SS Arjun Nimmala, OF Eddie Micheletti Jr. and RHP Angel Rivero from the Blue Jays for RHP José Soriano
Acquired INF Nacho Alvarez Jr. from the Braves for LHP Brent Suter
Acquired C Jacob Cozart from the Guardians for OF Jo Adell
Acquired C Moisés Ballesteros and RHP Mason McGwire from the Cubs for RHP Ryan Zeferjahn
Acquired RHP Kyle Robinson from the Pirates for RHP Kirby Yates
Jim Bowden of The Athletic had grades for the teams, and the Angels were in the "sell" category, and Bowden gave them a B grade.
"The Angels were more aggressive under interim general manager John Mozeliak than they have been at recent trade deadlines. Although I didn’t like the Arredondo deal with the Rangers, I thought they did well in most of the trades they made," Bowden wrote.
Arjun Nimmala was the prized acquisition as he was Toronto's No. 2 ranked prospect, and he should be an everyday player for the Angels once he is ready for the MLB level.
One American League executive named the Soriano deal as the best move of the deadline, and although Soriano has control, the Angels got some talented prospects and a shortstop of the future.
Other than that, Bowden named Cozart as a sleeper, and Ballesteros is a power hitter who shined for the Cubs a bit and has already made his Angels debut since being traded to Anaheim.
The Angels had no playoff hope, so dealing some players for prospects and starting over makes plenty of sense, so hats off to the interim GM for making plenty of moves and bringing some new players into the organization.
Only time will tell if the Angels hire a new GM or manager, but at least they made some moves.
