The MLB Trade Deadline is one day away, as teams must finalize any and all deals by Tuesday, July 30 at 3:00 p.m. PT. The Los Angeles Angels, seen as potentially among the most active sellers on the market, have already made one major deal.
The Angels dealt closer Carlos Estévez to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for pitching prospects George Klassen (MLB Pipeline Angels rank No. 3) and Samuel Aldegheri (Angels No. 8). It was a big haul for a reliever on an expiring contract, but it’s a part of what many around the league to be a heavy sellers market.
This gives L.A. a chance to take advantage and trade even more pieces over the next 24 hours. Among the players that could be dealt are starters Tyler Anderson and Reid Detmers, relievers Matt Moore and Luis Garcia, outfielder Taylor Ward and infielder Luis Rengifo.
Of all these names, though, it’s Rengifo that has emerged as a likely name to be dealt prior to Tuesday’s deadline, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com:
Unless the Blue Jays reverse course and decide to trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr., there doesn’t appear to be any Juan Soto-type star set to move prior to the Deadline. But useful position players such as Luis Rengifo, Yandy Díaz, Lane Thomas, Tommy Pham and Paul DeJong are likely to change teams, strengthening contending rosters with two months left in the regular season.
Rengifo has among the most value of any infielder on the market right now. He is 27 years old, batting .300 and has an OPS+ above 100 for the third consecutive season and is under team control through next season. And while the Angels have previously shown a reluctance to trade players with more than one year of control, a trade may bring in too big a return to pass up.
Among the teams that have shown interest in Rengifo are the L.A. Dodgers, although owner Arte Moreno has shown a reluctance to trade with them and they traded for infielder Tommy Edman on Monday. The Kansas City Royals have also expressed interest.
Based on all the noise, expect the Angels to make at least one more move before Tuesday afternoon, if not more.
Luis Garcia and Ben Joyce de facto closers for Angels
With Estévez in Philadelphia, the Angels need new answers at the closer position for the rest of the season. If he is not dealt before Tuesday afternoon, that answer will likely be Garcia. But if he is traded, as many expect him to be, then Ben Joyce will take over from there.
