Los Angeles Angels

5 Players LA Angels GM Billy Eppler May Consider Trading

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The LA Angels did not contend in 2016, nor will they in 2017. However, they have many valuable trade pieces they could use to make contending in 2018 and 2019 more likely.

This may seem like a pessimistic opinion, but I’m just being realistic as the LA Angels have so many holes. Starting pitching will most likely be an issue no matter if Garrett Richards comes back healthy or not. With the Angels still having to pay Josh Hamilton 25 million dollars next season I don’t expect the Angels to land a big name free agent especially in left field, but you never know.

This article will be analyzing the top Angel trade chips, and possible scenarios in which they are dealt. Hopefully the team will be more competitive on the field and not having so many injuries would definitely help that as well.

5.) Mike Trout, OF

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Okay, hear me out. In 1989, the Dallas Cowboys traded superstar running back Herschel Walker to the Vikings in a deal that included 18 players and draft picks. The Dallas Cowboys would go on to win three Super Bowls in the 1990’s. The Vikings still have not won the big one.

In 2013, the Brooklyn Nets traded a plethora of draft picks to the Boston Celtics for Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. The Celtics are a top four team in the Eastern Conference. The Nets have the bleakest future of any basketball franchise.

Of course in both those examples the players were older than Trout, but the case can be made that a Trout trade could thrust the Angels into contention for the next 15 years. The best player in baseball is on a long-term contract, and any team trading for him would immediately contend (given the teams with enough assets are already borderline contenders).

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Trade #1- Ship him across town to the Dodgers. The Dodgers are one of the few teams with enough assets to trade for Trout. This trade would put the Dodgers over the top, considering they are already contenders. The Dodgers could send pitcher Julio Urias, center fielder Joc Pederson, and top prospects Austin Barnes and Jose De Leon. This would give the Angels a superstar rotation in the coming years with a great future backstop in Barnes and a great left-handed power hitter in Pederson. That would fill many holes for the Angels, and would be a great starting point for the rebuild.

Trade #2- Bryant, Trout, and Arrieta oh my!- Is it crazy that as I write this article about the Cubs trading for Trout they are playing in Game Four of the World Series?

Yeah, it is. But it could also be reality. The Cubs have the best team on paper in the majors, but also the best farm system. The Cubs could trade DH Kyle Schwarber, infielder Javier Baez, and outfielder Jorge Soler. All three of those players fill upcoming holes for the Angels, and have amazing homerun power. This would fill nearly every defensive and offensive hole for the Angels. It would also free up major cap space for the Angels, and allow them to attack free agent pitchers.

No, I do not condone trading Mike Trout. However, the Angels would be a much more complete team by doing so.

4.) CJ Cron- 1B/DH

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2016 was a season to forget for CJ Cron. After struggling, Cron was sent to Salt Lake for an extended stay. Then, as he picked up steam and was back to his old form, an injury sidelined him for what ended up being the rest of the 2016 season.

Cron could undoubtedly be a vital part of the Angels future. As of now, he would be the heir to Albert Pujols. However, Cron is dispensable. Matt Thaiss, the Angels 2016 first overall pick, is projected as a first baseman or designated hitter. He also bats left-handed, something the Angels lack as of now. Trading Cron could return a solid bullpen hurler. His power is not needed as much as reliable bullpen arms, especially with Thiass in the equation.

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Cron could be sent to San Diego for 26-year old Brandon Maurer. Maurer saw much more work this year, and was a tad inconsistent. He has potential to become a closing pitcher, but most likely pans out as a seventh or eighth inning hurler. Maurer is still young, especially for a relief pitcher. He is arbitration eligible this year, so depending on how much he is signed for this trade may be able to work out very well for the Angels.

3.) Kole Calhoun- OF

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Kole Calhoun has been Mr. Consistency ever since Howie Kendrick became a Dodger. He plays his heart out in the field, will hit in the upper .200’s, and knock 15-25 homeruns each year. Calhoun’s value only goes up because of this consistency. Calhoun hit .271 with 18 homeruns and 75 RBI’s, which is even more impressive considering he hit after the 8-9-1 batters (usually two replacement level guys and Yunel Escobar).

The Angels’ main reason for trading Calhoun would be his limited ceiling. Although he is a superb fielder, that is mainly based on his arm. Calhoun has limited athleticism, and even though that leads to the many diving grabs we have become used to, it also limits his range. Trading Calhoun for any future pieces would be smart. Especially after a good stretch of baseball from him the past few years.

Calhoun to the Phillies for prospects Scott Kingery and Ricardo Pinto makes sense for both teams. The Phillies would receive a young, proven ballplayer who is under team control until 2020. The Angels would receive two prospects to help out their horrid farm system.

Kingery, a second baseman out of Arizona, has the potential to be the end to the black hole the Angels have has at second base in the past. He was an excellent collegiate player, and could contribute as soon as 2018. Pinto, a right-handed pitcher out of Venezuela, has an amazing arsenal of pitches. His fastball, changeup, and slider are all exceptional and Pinto has been completely trusting of the coaching staff he has worked with so far.

The Angels would be adding a future middle of the rotation arm or at the very least a stand-out bullpen arm. This trade would fill two outstanding holes for the Angels, and help them contend in the years to come.

2.) Yunel Escobar- 3B

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The Angels traded Trevor Gott for Yunel Escobar last offseason.. Gott was a standout for the Angels in 2015. Giving him up for a player who had one good year seemed ludicrous. However, Escobar filled two gigantic holes for the Angels- the leadoff spot and third base. He played very well this season, hitting .304 with five homeruns and 39 RBI’s. These stats may not pop out but those RBI’s are quite impressive due to the fact of who was hitting before Escobar. Now that Escobar has proven 2015 was not a fluke, a contending team with holes at third base or in the leadoff spot should have no hesitation to send a solid prospect or two for Escobar.

Since he is only under team control for one more year, it would be wise for the Angels to get the deal done this offseason instead of at the trade deadline. Flipping Escobar for a relief pitching prospect would be the Angels best move, and there are a couple teams that fit the scenario.

Escobar to the Dodgers for right-handed pitcher Walker Buehler. Dodgers’ third baseman Justin Turner is about to get paid big time. It would be wise for the Dodgers’ to avoid a bidding war and stick to their plan of targeting the 2018 free agent class. Trading a top ten prospect for a third baseman who will help you contend for the year would be the smart move if they plan on pursuing Manny Machado in 2018.

InBuehler, the Angels would get a pitcher who could play a role similar to Jhoulys Chacin did this season. Buehler would be an outstanding relief pitcher, and could even make spot starts when needed. This would be extremely valuable for theAngels. As we learned this year, you can never have too much starting pitching.

1.) Matt Shoemaker– RHP

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The Angel most likely to be traded this offseason is Matt Shoemaker. The 2016 Nick Adenhart Trophy winner, given to the Angels’ top pitcher, Shoemaker shook off a lousy start to be one of the best pitchers in baseball in June, July, and August. It was very surprising when the Angels kept him through the trade deadline. Shoemaker is 30 years old, and has had three years in the majors.The story of Shoemaker going undrafted and finally making the big leagues is a great one, but Shoemaker staying in Anaheim just does not make a ton of sense. History shows Shoemaker will begin to decline soon, so when the Angels are eventually contending they will have another old pitcher on the team. They should flip him now for a younger prospect who, in two years, can be the third or fourth guy in the rotation.

Matt Shoemaker to the Blue Jays for pitching prospect Sean Reid-Foley. The Blue Jays could learn a thing or two from the Indians, who booted them from the playoffs in embarrassing fashion. Cleveland used solid starting pitching to dominate one of the best offenses in baseball. If Toronto plans on contending again next year then they need to trade for cheap, serviceable arms such as Shoemaker.

With both Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion entering free agency, they will not have much spending room for pitching. This makes Shoemaker a perfect fit. He is on a team-friendly contract for years to come, allowing the Blue Jays to put all their eggs in the offensive basket.

Reid-Foley projects as a middle of rotation starter. He would be able to join the big leagues as soon as 2018, as his development has been steady throughout his time in the minors. He just needs to get over that hump between AAA and the big leagues. Reid-Foley would also be able to serve as a bullpen arm until ready for a bigger role, something that should make the Angels value him even more.

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