As postseason hopes fade in Anaheim, the Los Angeles Angels might end up trading starting pitcher Reid Detmers, especially with his pitching improving.
Barring a stunning turnaround from here on out, it sure looks like the Los Angeles Angels' playoff drought will continue in 2026.
That means that the Angels should open up the phones and make some players available going into the August 3 MLB trade deadline.
Right now, it doesn't appear that superstar Mike Trout will be traded, and Opening Day starter Jose Soriano might also be staying put.
However, one starting pitcher continues to be discussed in trade rumblings: Reid Detmers.
Detmers being named a trade candidate is nothing new, and USA Today's Bob Nightengale kicked up those rumors even more over the weekend.
"Los Angeles Angels left-handed starter Reid Detmers is starting to pick up plenty of traction among teams seeking a starter at the trade deadline," Nightengale wrote.
Detmers, who turns 27 years old in July, has a 2-5 record with a 4.00 ERA.
However, he is 1-0 with a 1.73 ERA in his last four starts, including a six-inning shutout on June 5 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. That was followed up by a seven-inning, one-run and one-hit outing against the Houston Astros.
Detmers isn't a rental, either. He has two years of control, so acquiring a controllable pitcher at the deadline should be more than appealing for a number of teams across the league.
Detmers has spent his entire career in Anaheim since making his MLB debut in 2021, but he has had an up and down career.
In 2024, Detmers appeared in 14 games, but he went 4-9 with a whopping 6.70 ERA> In 2023, he went 4-10 with a 4.48 ERA, but he turned things around in 2025.
Last season, Detmers showed his promise again, putting together a 5-3 record with a 3.96 ERA, although he was used primarily as a relief pitcher.
With Jon Heyman reporting previously that the Angels' chances of trading Trout are very low, it sure seems like the superstar slugger will remain in Anaheim a little bit longer.
They could get calls on Soriano at the deadline, but Detmers has control and should be a player that generates a lot of buzz, even more so if the Detroit Tigers decide not to trade Tarik Skubal before the August 3 deadline.
Detmers' last few starts have shown what he can do, and he should be able to continue to generate trade buzz with the Angels going downhill quickly in the American League West standings.
