The Los Angeles Angels are clearly not contending for a playoff spot, which has led many to speculate if they could potentially trade players like Taylor Ward and Jo Adell ahead of the July 30 MLB deadline.
Sources say that the Angels are fielding trade offers for certain players, including Ward and Adell, via Robert Murray of FanSided.
The catch is that general manager Perry Minasian is apparently seeking “giant returns” for the two outfielders, per ESPN's Jeff Passan (h/t Murray). That could make moving either player difficult. Of course, it's only early June, so there is always the possibility that Minasian could drop his asking price as the deadline inches closer.
Los Angeles could also look to move starting pitcher Tyler Anderson, Murray notes. He also mentions outfielder Kevin Pillard and relief pitchers Hunter Strickland, Matt Moore and Adam Cimber as players who are on expiring deals and could ultimately be dealt.
What can the Angels actually get for Taylor Ward and Jo Adell?
The Angels are 24-38. Mike Trout is out for the foreseeable future. They aren't making the postseason, so they are almost certainly going to sell off some pieces sometime over the next several weeks.
Ward and Adell seem to be the top two names generating interest, but what can Los Angeles specifically expect to get in return for them?
Well, let's start with Ward, who is the more established player.
The 30-year-old is enjoying a solid season, slashing .253/.322/.445 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI over 258 plate appearances. However, he has struggled defensively, posting a minus-5.3 UZR/150. Not that Ward has ever been known for his defense, but it will affect his trade value.
Aside from the 2022 campaign when Ward flashed an .833 OPS, he has never been anything more than a pedestrian hitter. He lays claim to a career .255/.322/.431 slash line. That definitely isn't bad and can help some teams, but given his defensive struggles, it isn't likely that a team will give up the farm for him.
It's also not like Ward is an ascending player. He's 30. This is probably as good as he is going to get.
Then there is Adell, who has recorded a rather ugly .198/.258/.444 slash line with 11 long balls and 27 RBI across 179 trips to the dish this season. The difference is that Adell is just 25 years old and is not far removed from being a top prospect. Plus, while he had not been good defensively in the early stages of his career, he has shown dramatic improvement in that area in 2024, having registered a 9.6 UZR/150 and 5 DRS thus far this season.
Adell hit the big leagues in 2020 and has not really lived up to expectations. His lifetime slash line is just .210/.259/.383, and up until this year, he has not demonstrated the home-run pop that made him an elite prospect to begin with.
It's understandable why other ballclubs are interested in him. He's still young, and he was the 10th overall pick of the 2017 MLB Draft for a reason. Adell is oozing with raw talent. It's just a matter of putting it all together, and another organization may feel it can bring the best out of him.
All things considered, the Angels probably aren't going to get what they are currently requiring for either Ward or Adell. They almost surely aren't landing any top prospects.
Los Angeles will definitely have to decrease its demands in the coming weeks.
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