The Los Angeles Angels stood pat for nearly the entire trade deadline season. However, in the final minutes, they made their first move by reportedly trading starting pitcher Andrew Heaney to the New York Yankees.
The Yankees went into the trade deadline knowing their need for a starting pitcher. After making splashes by acquiring Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo, they go a much more modest route by getting Heaney from the Halos.
The deal was reported shortly before the 1:00 deadline with the Angels rumored to be getting pitchers Jason Junk and Elvis Peguero in return, via Jack Curry of YES Network:
In the Heaney trade, the Yankees parted with pitchers Janson Junk and Elvis Peguero. Once again, the Yankees received cash from the Angels in the deal. That also happened in the Gallo and Rizzo deals. @Ken_Rosenthal was first with Heaney coming to NY.
— Jack Curry (@JackCurryYES) July 30, 2021
Heaney held a 5.27 ERA in 18 starts with the Angels this season, but had an expected ERA of 4.22, suggesting some improvements could be coming for him. In his last two starts, he had turned things around slightly, getting through 13 innings with only five earned runs and 15 strikeouts.
Now, the attention for the Halos not only shifts to their reported return in this trade, but also their brand new hole in the starting rotation. The Angels had been in a groove with starters over the past few weeks, accruing one of the best ERA’s in MLB among starters in since the All-Star break.
Junk is currently in Double-A and was the Yankees’ No. 27 prospect via MLB. Peguero is not in the Yankees’ top 30.
Reid Detmers scratched
The popular option would likely be to call Reid Detmers up from Triple-A. He was dominant in his lone start for the Salt Lake Bees and was just as incredible in Double-A. It would certainly carry some risk given his lack of professional innings, but would be an exciting call up for Angels fans.
Detmers was also scratched from his second start at Triple-A almost immediately after the deal was announced, according to Taylor Blake Ward of HomePlateView:
hearing Reid Detmers has been scratched from his start with AAA Salt Lake
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) July 30, 2021
Now, the Angels have some other decisions to make regarding selling some more expiring deals, such as Alex Cobb and Raisel Iglesias.
