The Los Angeles Angels have emerged as a pivotal team in the lead-up to the trade deadline, boasting an array of attractive players on both offense and defense. While the Tampa Bay Rays have garnered attention for their early moves, the Angels are poised to significantly impact the market. With a dearth of sellers, the Angels’ pending free agents, such as Carlos Estevez, have drawn considerable interest from teams seeking bullpen reinforcements.
In a preemptive move, the Angels traded Estevez to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday, securing a pair of promising pitching prospects in return. Estevez’s effectiveness in high-pressure situations and impressive 2.38 ERA this season made him a valuable asset, enabling the Angels to command a premium return despite his impending free agency.
The Phillies, one of the top teams in baseball, sought to bolster their late-inning capabilities by acquiring Estevez. In exchange, the Angels received legitimate starting pitching prospects, Klassen and Aldegheri, both possessing swing-and-miss stuff. This return is unusually robust for a rental reliever, indicating a promising trend for the Angels as the deadline approaches.
For an organization craving talent and pitching, this trade represents a step in the right direction. While the Angels lack a single, elite trade chip, they possess a diverse array of in-demand players at coveted positions. By capitalizing on this demand with additional shrewd moves, the Angels can significantly enhance their prospects for 2025.
