The next important move the Angels make might not be on the field. It might be in the hands of general manager Jerry Dipoto.
If there's bullpen help available for trade, Dipoto will have to find it. The passing of the trade deadline on July 31 doesn't mean trades can't be made; it just means it will take some maneuvering to get them done.
The Angels are in desperate need of relief help. Their just-completed 4-6 road trip through Texas, Chicago and Oakland magnified the bullpen's woes, and Wednesday's 9-8 loss to the A's summed up how poorly things are going.
The usually reliable LaTroy Hawkins blew a save opportunity in the sixth inning, giving up a season-worst five runs to turn a 5-4 lead into a 9-5 hole. On the trip, relievers had a 10.54 ERA over 27 1/3 innings, served up 11 home runs and had five losses and four blown saves.
The need for fresh arms is stronger now than ever. Teams can make deals, but players must pass through waivers first, and it's not unusual for teams to block potential deals by claiming a player. But if there's someone who fits the Angels' needs and he clears waivers, Dipoto might have to make a move for immediate help.
He was certainly active at the trade deadline, acquiring pitcher Zack Greinke from the Milwaukee Brewers for two minor leaguers. But that deal has yet to reap any benefits. Greinke labored through the first two innings Wednesday and fell behind 4-1 before he settled down. But he also walked five batters in five innings, with three of them scoring.
"His fastball command got away from him a little bit," manager Mike Scioscia said. "He had good action on his fastball, but he just didn't command the baseball the way we know he can."
Greinke's first start after the trade was a good one, although he took the loss despite allowing two earned runs in seven innings to Tampa Bay. His next two starts have been woeful: 12 innings, 16 hits, 10 earned runs, 7 walks and two no-decisions to the White Sox and A's. Going back to his time with the Brewers, Greinke has gone winless in his past eight starts.
The Angels' offense bailed him out, taking a lead in the fifth inning on a solo homer from Torii Hunter and a two-run shot from Kendrys Morales, his second of the game and fifth on the trip.
It should have been enough to secure Greinke's first win with his new team, but Hawkins, who entered the game with a 2.10 ERA, never made it out of the sixth. The big blows: a two-run single by Yoenis Cespedes and a two-run homer by Chris Carter.
The Angels hit five home runs in the game and had 23 on the 10-game trip, but they were still left with a losing road trip. Their record since the All-Star break: 11-15.
The seven-game deficit they face in the American League West is the farthest they've been out of first place since May 23. The even trail Detroit, Oakland and Baltimore in the wild-card race.
Is it desperation time? Not yet, but it's quickly approaching. A day off Thursday will do the Angels good, but another relief pitcher might be the best thing right now.
