The Los Angeles Angels can get a massive haul for several controllable players on their roster and interest levels for their starting pitchers is off the charts right now.
The Los Angeles Angels have several coveted pieces that could and should be moved at this year’s trade deadline.
With only a week to go before Aug. 3, the Angels will be a selling team with a lot of eyes on them because of their surplus of controllable starting pitching as well as right-handed bats that can impact a contending lineup.
Most playoff contenders are in the market for starting pitchers and Los Angeles has two talented ones that are under club control through 2028: right-hander José Soriano and left-hander Reid Detmers.
Both are drawing a lot of attention right now, but it seems like Detmers is getting a little more interest around the league. The 27-year-old is just 3-7 with a 4.05 ERA but has a 1.10 WHIP and has struck out 136 batters (ninth) across 120 innings pitched (21 starts).
Detmers is on pace to record over 200 strikeouts this season and keeps the ball in the ballpark, something teams like the Chicago Cubs should be extremely interested in.
The Cubs are holding down the top National League wild card spot and have been decimated by pitcher injuries, both within the starting rotation and bullpen. While they have gotten positive performances from left-handers Matthew Boyd and Shota Imanaga recently, they were let-downs in October last year.
Imanaga has allowed 22 homers (tied-sixth) and right-hander Jameson Taillon, who has made just 15 starts this season, has allowed 25; he is the worst qualified pitcher in Major League Baseball.
ESPN’s Jesse Rogers believes that Detmers is a perfect fit for Chicago, citing his contract status as a huge plus with the Cubs having several starters on expiring deals.
“The Cubs also have some expiring contracts on the mound, so trading for a controllable pitcher works for their future as well as their present,” Rogers wrote Monday. “Los Angeles Angels starter Reid Detmers would fit that need. As usual, prices are currently high for those pitchers, according to league sources, but Chicago has some infield depth at the major and minor league level to trade from.”
The Cubs have a solid pool of prospects and young position players that could pry Detmers from the Angels. A package centered around infielders Matt Shaw or Pedro Ramirez, shortstop Jefferson Rojas and right-hander Jaxon Wiggins would be a nice return for the Halos, especially if they move SS Zach Neto at the deadline.
There are plenty of suitors for Detmers but with how desperate Chicago is, they may sweeten the deal with another top 30 prospect just to make the deal go through. The only untouchable within the farm system is reportedly outfielder Josiah Hartshorn.
Dealing Detmers would be a great thing for the health of the Halos organization even if it hurts to see him go.
