The Los Angeles Angels made themselves the surprise trade deadline team in Major League Baseball, jumping a bevy of clubs for several of the most sought after moveable pieces.
But a seven-game losing streak following the deadline signal a plan gone awry, and it looked like more of the same for a franchise that hoped to load up for one more run at a postseason berth. The Angels acquired a handful of pieces including prized starter, Lucas Giolito from the Chicago White Sox.
Giolito would unfortunately have a horrendous run with the Angels, posting a 6.89 ERA, 6.81 FIP, 1.47 WHIP, with a .252 batting average allowed. His 1-5 record put the team in a tough position, with the white flag coming from general manager Perry Minasian shortly after.
Minasian shocked everyone by placing a handful of players on waivers at the end of August, halting the push for the playoffs. The move was stunning, smart for the future, but it came as a blow for Giolito who believed the trade earlier in the month could’ve been worth more, per Sarah Valenzuela of the L.A. Times:
“It was kind of tough because when I got there, the vibes in the clubhouse and everything were really fantastic,” Giolito said. “They’re coming off an amazing series [in Detroit]. That game Shohei threw a complete game, the next game he hit two home runs. And when I arrived it was ‘Man, I’m gonna be a part of this. Crazy. We’re gonna make this awesome run.’
“It just didn’t come to fruition. … It’s just the way the game goes sometimes. It’s a game of failure. Unfortunately, we experienced a good amount of that my month there. Me, personally, as well.”
The Angels went on the have an 8-19 record in the month of August, falling well out of playoff contention. Giolito was claimed by the Cleveland Guardians, and has continued to struggled.
In his first start with his third team of the season, he allowed nine earned runs in three innings. He faced the Angels on Saturday, allowing four earned over seven innings pitched, giving up three home runs.
For the right-hander, he’s in the midst of one of the most turmoil filled seasons of his career. The Angels, on the other hand, their foresight to see a bad situation is at least a nod to understanding it just wasn’t working out.
Angels open to trading Mike Trout this offseason
As the Angels hover around the .500 mark, they opted to be buyers at the trade deadline, acquiring the likes of Giolito, C.J. Cron and Randal Grichuk, among others.
But the gutted farm system and unclear future put the organization in a tough spot. The next move is the possibility of the Angels exploring a trade for outfielder Mike Trout, something they wouldn’t have thought to do in year’s past.
Trout has been part of the Angels since being selected with the 25th overall pick in the 2009 MLB Draft, but his loyalty might be outdone by his desire to win and the ever-changing status of his health.
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