The Los Angeles Angels are in a tough spot this year. They’re on the verge of contending, but it doesn’t seem like they’re a true World Series threat. At this point, they’re either going to need to get aggressive toward buying and contending or aggressive toward selling and rebuilding.
It’s much more likely they sell rather than buy at the trade deadline this season. There are a few players who make sense as trade chips in Los Angeles.
The Athletic’s Jim Bowden recently revealed that he expects the Angels will cut ties with outfielder Taylor Ward at the trade deadline this season.
“The Angels insist they’re buyers, but come the deadline, I expect them to not make the same mistakes they’ve made in the past as they should be sellers; if not, a buyer-to-buyer trade involving Ward would still make sense,” Bowden wrote. “Ward, 31, is hitting .217 with a .292 on-base percentage but has mashed 20 homers and driven in 57 runs. He is under team control through 2026. A trade to the Royals would make a lot of sense.”
Ward was a suitable trade chip to use last season, but the Angels didn’t deal him away. Now he’s putting together another excellent campaign, and the slugger makes sense as a trade chip once again.
Bowden suggests the Kansas City Royals could be a fit. The Royals could use some pop in the outfield, and Ward would be one of the better under-the-radar options on the market this season.
The San Diego Padres have a gaping hole in left field to fill. Ward could be the top option to bring to town if they want a chance to steal the National League West from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Cincinnati Reds desperately need a right-handed hitting outfielder. Ward would fill that role in a big way, but he might be playing too well to be a platoon bat. Still, the Reds are a team to watch.
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