Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
It’s not even June so should the Angels really start to worry about not making the playoffs. Yes… They are currently 7 games out of first place in the AL West and 8 games out of a wild card spot. Their best bet is to win their division since the wild card race looks too tight at the moment. Red Sox, Yankees, Rays, and Blue Jays are all fighting for first in the AL East but 3 of those teams will end up fighting for the 2 playoff spots come October.
Playoff odds dwindling for the Angels
According to Fangraphs, the Angels only have an 8.7% chance to make the playoffs despite their tough start to the 2021 season. The Angels are currently 7 games below .500 with a 20-27 record. The A’s are currently in first place with a 28-21 record but there are some doubts as to whether or not they can keep up their success. Oakland always seems to exceed expectations during the regular season so my prediction is that they will win the division over the favorited Houston Astros.
However, I hope that I am wrong and that the Angels are the 2021 AL West division winners. There are a few ways that they can do this. Anyone not named Trout, Ohtani, Rendon, Fletcher, or Walsh should be considered tradable. Yes, that even includes Jo Adell. Their main priority has to be this year, not the next. The good thing for them is that there is talent in the market.
German Marquez has heavy price tag but should be on Angels’ radar
German Marquez should be on the Angels’ radar. Yes, his price tag will be high but drastic times call for drastic measures. The 26 year old Rockies’ starting pitcher is under contract until 2023 and he is owed almost $20 million in that timeframe. Not the most ideal in terms of how much he is owed but there is no denying that he is a great pitcher.
Berrios could be the perfect match
Jose Berrios is also another candidate to be traded. The Twins have been the most underperforming team in baseball. Yes, that includes the Angels. Berrios is owed $6.1 million this season and he will be arbitration-eligible at the end of the season. He is currently pitching with a 3.74 ERA which would be miles ahead of anyone the Angels have in the rotation not named Ohtani.
Everyone should be tradable on Angels’ roster
Those would be the trade candidates the Angels should be looking at. Whether or not they actually pursue them is another question. Heaney, Cobb, Bundy, and Quintana should all be trade pieces the Angels can use. Canning would be the only one I try to keep since he has the most potential to develop. Bundy can get a good return since he was amazing last year. Heaney could get a decent return if a team believes they can put him back on the right track.
Subscribe to The Ventric’s Weekly Angels Newsletter for FREE!
