The Los Angeles Angels stunned the MLB world earlier this week when they placed six players — Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo López, Matt Moore, Hunter Renfroe, Randal Grichuk and Dominic Leone — on waivers, effectively ending their postseason chase and waving the white flag on the 2023 campaign.
The question became which teams would claim the six players dumped by the Angels. With waiver orders being determined by reverse order, it was assumed that teams close to or just in the postseason picture would be the likely homes for each of the six players.
Now, the dominoes have fallen with regard to Arte Moreno’s about-face. Five of the six Angels placed on waivers — all but Grichuk — were claimed.
The Cleveland Guardians — five games out of first place in the American League Central — have reportedly walked away with three major prizes in Giolito, López and Moore, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN and Kiley McDaniel of ESPN:
The Cleveland Guardians claimed right-handed starter Lucas Giolito and right-handed reliever Reynaldo Lopez on waivers from the Los Angeles Angels, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2023
The Guardians have also claimed LHP Matt Moore from the Angels on waivers, per source.
— Kiley McDaniel (@kileymcd) August 31, 2023
Renfroe, one of the Angels premier offseason acquisitions, was reportedly claimed by the Cincinnati Reds, according to Mark Feinsand of MLB Network:
The Reds have also claimed Hunter Renfroe from the Angels, per source.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 31, 2023
Finally, the Seattle Mariners reportedly landed Leone in the frenzy, according to Robert Murray of FanSided:
Source: Reliever Dominic Leone claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) August 31, 2023
In these moves, the Angels will reportedly save $5.7 million, dropping them just below the competitive balance tax, completing their goal with the waivers while keeping Grichuk on the roster.
The Guardians have 28 games to make up five on the Minnesota Twins. They face the Twins three more times, giving them another great opportunity to make up ground, but will also face teams like the Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers and Baltimore Orioles.
The Guardians are in Anaheim next weekend — Sept. 7-9 — to face the Angels, and it’s possible the Halos will see Giolito, López and Moore in that series.
Giolito made six starts as a member of the Angels, posting a 6.89 ERA in 32.2 innings of work. He had a 1-5 record and allowed 10 home runs. López, meanwhile, was more successful with a 2.77 ERA and 19 strikeouts in 13 innings out of the bullpen. Moore had a 2.66 ERA in 44 innings for the Halos this season.
The Reds, in Renfroe, get an outfield depth bat. The Reds also landed Harrison Bader from the New York Yankees, giving them desperately-needed pop from their outfield as they continue for a National League wild card push.
Finally, Leone stays in the division with the Mariners. He pitched 13 innings with the Angels and had a 5.54 ERA and 1.85 WHIP.
