As another losing season slips away, the Halos must capitalize on surging trade chips like Jose Siri and Reid Detmers to finally jumpstart a long-overdue rebuild.
The Los Angeles Angels remain firmly in last place in the American League West with a 30-47 record. Already 8.5 games back from a Wild Card position, it’s safe to say the 2026 campaign is a wash for the Halos.
Not that there were high expectations for the Angels coming into the season, but to see it pay out in reality only confirms the 11th consecutive losing season. With that said, there is still an opportunity for the club to make something out of nothing before the season’s end.
If they want to end the year instilling at least a fraction of hope in the fan base, the Angels need to cash in on some of their players at this year’s trade deadline. Owner Arte Moreno has shown a reluctance to trade away good players with multiple years of team control left, but that formula clearly hasn’t worked out well for the club.
Instead, the Angels have historically waited until free agency for the player to leave for no return, or to keep the player too long and not be able to capitalize as much on their value. How about we scratch that formula for 2026 and beyond?
Several candidates could be shipped out before the deadline with various levels of realism, but here are three players who have been building their value just ahead of August’s deadline.
Outfielder Jose Siri joined the Halos on a minor league contract back in February, but he’s been electric in the majors since getting the call-up back in mid-May. In 28 games with the Halos, the 30-year-old has posted a .908 OPS while proving a threat on the bases and a positive defensive contributor.
Siri is having the best year of his career, but the Angels need to cash in on it while they can. There are postseason teams that would be willing to overpay for the player Siri is right now, and there would be no point in keeping Siri past the deadline, considering the team’s record and his impending free agency.
Left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers would be more difficult to pull the plug on, as he was the club's first-round selection in 2020. In his return to the starting rotation this season, Detmers has posted a career low 3.68 ERA and an even better 1.36 ERA in his last five starts.
Detmers still has two more years of team control after the conclusion of the 2026 campaign, contributing to his all-time high value. With his history of ups and downs, the Angels would be wise to cash in big time on the former 10th overall selection, as they’d be able to get multiple prospects that could be real contributors to their future.
Infielder Donovan Walton has become an unlikely contributor for the Halos in 2026 after signing with the club on a minor league deal in January. After being called up to the majors in May, Walton has been having a huge month of June. In 39 plate appearances this month, the 32-year-old has put up a .333/.368/.583 slash line.
Since debuting in 2019, Walton has struggled to maintain his place at the major league level. He’s undoubtedly having his best stint yet this year, and his place on this Angels team doesn’t fit long-term. He may not bring back the same value as Detmers would, but Walton could certainly be a piece that a postseason team desperate for an extra infielder could look at before the deadline.
