Let’s Make a Deal: What Players Could the Twins Acquire from the Angels?

[Cody Christie]

The Angels have been one of the American League’s worst teams in recent years. So, do they have any usable pieces the Twins can attempt to acquire before the trade deadline?

Image courtesy of Kirby Lee, USA Today Sports

The Los Angeles Angels had two of the world’s best players (Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani) for multiple seasons, but were unable to field a winning team. Ohtani left in free agency this winter, and Trout has been hurt increasingly often for the last half-decade. The Angels also have one of baseball’s lowest-ranked farm systems, due to poor drafting and development. 

ESPN’s Jeff Passan recently reported that the Angels "need to improve the worst-in-baseball farm system that they gutted last summer in an ill-advised spree intended to show Shohei Ohtani that Anaheim was the sort of place he wanted to stay for the remainder of his career." Los Angeles is a franchise with plenty of holes, but there is more than one helpful trade target for contending teams.

Hitters
Luis Rengifo is an intriguing hitter. He’s been used in a utility role for the Angels, while averaging a 111 OPS+ over the last three seasons. Rengifo is off to a hot start in 2024, with the team’s highest rWAR among position players and a 130 OPS+. He has one more year of arbitration eligibility, so the Angels may want to trade him while his value is at a high point. The Twins have other players in a similar role, so he’s likely not a trade candidate for the front office, but the picture could be shaken up by an injury or further struggles on the part of infielder Kyle Farmer. 

Jo Adell is a former top prospect whose name has swirled in the rumor mill in recent seasons. He’s hitting below .200 this season, but that’s partially a result of the Angels using him semi-regularly. Adell destroys left-handed pitching, with an OPS above 1.100 this season. Minnesota has posted a .712 OPS versus lefties this season, so Adell could be a platoon option with the ability to play multiple outfield positions. (Notably, however, he's only played center field twice this season, and 13 times in his big-league career. He would be a higher-ceiling, but perhaps not actually better, version of Manuel Margot.)

Another outfielder, Taylor Ward, is expected to draw more widespread and eager trade interest, since he is under team control for two more seasons. Over the last three years, he has averaged a 120 OPS+, so his asking price will be high. As a right-handed hitter, Ward has improved against lefties this season. His .871 OPS versus lefties is 76 points higher than his career mark. Patient and excellent at lifting the ball with some steam behind it, Ward ranks eighth of 244 hitters in weighted sweet-spot exit velocity, created by TD managing editor Matthew Trueblood to estimate the overall ability to make high-value contact. He could be the most high-impact addition in this group. 

Kevin Pillar is another veteran name who will draw some trade interest. At the beginning of the season, he was terrible with the White Sox (85 OPS+), so the team designated him for assignment. Pillar elected free agency and signed with Los Angeles. He’s had a stunning turnaround with the Angels, with an OPS of 1.089 while playing all three outfield spots. He won’t cost much to acquire, and would be a better outfield option than Manuel Margot.

Former Twin Miguel Sanó is also on the Angels roster, but likely won’t draw significant trade interest. He started the year strongly, with a .788 OPS in his first 18 games. Sanó was placed on the injured list with left knee inflammation on May 1, and suffered a setback after he left a heating pad on his knee for too long and was burned by the device. Few teams were interested in adding Sanó last season, and his latest injury might push down any chance of him joining a winning club in 2024. Certainly, that door is long closed for the Twins.

Pitchers
On the pitching side, left-hander Tyler Anderson has been the team’s best starting pitcher this season, and he is signed through 2025, which makes him even more intriguing. In 12 starts, he has posted a 2.37 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP. However, his 16.3 K% is low, and his 4.66 FIP suggests he's been more lucky than good this season. Minnesota’s front office likes to acquire pitchers with team control, but Anderson’s peripheral numbers wouldn’t necessarily make him a rotational upgrade for the Twins. It sounds like the Angels have a high asking price for Anderson at this point.

Hunter Strickland was terrible last season at Triple-A for the Reds and Angels organizations. In his age-35 season, he has rebuilt himself into a solid late-inning relief option. In 26 appearances, he owns a 1.73 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. His xERA and Barrel % rank in the 94th percentile or higher, but his K% and Whiff% are below average. Strickland would fit a low-leverage role with the Twins, but strikeouts are the name of the game for relievers, especially in the playoffs.

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Which player(s) should the Twins target? Is there an under-the-radar trade candidate beneath the Big A? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[DJL44]

I'd rather buy a different LH starting pitcher from the Angels instead of Anderson.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Pillar might be the best option if he can avoid going back to being terrible.  

Miguel Sano did WHAT?!?!  Yikes! That guy can’t seem to catch a break. 

[LambchoP]

None of these look like pieces that would help us....

[Cory Engelhardt]

1 hour ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Pillar might be the best option if he can avoid going back to being terrible.  

Miguel Sano did WHAT?!?!  Yikes! That guy can’t seem to catch a break. 

I had to read that line again of what happened. Did he just fall asleep while having the heat pack on? How does that happen? And can heating packs get THAT hot on their own? None of that makes any sense to me.

[Craig Arko]

12 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I had to read that line again of what happened. Did he just fall asleep while having the heat pack on? How does that happen? And can heating packs get THAT hot on their own? None of that makes any sense to me.

Wasn’t it Lew Ford who said he’d iron his shirts while wearing them?

[Cory Engelhardt]

15 minutes ago, Craig Arko said:

Wasn’t it Lew Ford who said he’d iron his shirts while wearing them?

It sure was. 

I'm just waiting for someone to grill their foot in a foreman grill ala Michael Scott at this point.

[jorgenswest]

The Twins needs haven’t changed since the off-season. They need to add an everyday bat that will hit in the top 4 of the order. They should seek the best everyday bat they can add and not worry about position. 

[Ricky Vaughn]

I'm sure Renden would b cheap, and we specialize in players who can't stay on the field. He's already on the 60 day so we wouldn't have to wait for the inevitable injury.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

59 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I had to read that line again of what happened. Did he just fall asleep while having the heat pack on? How does that happen? And can heating packs get THAT hot on their own? None of that makes any sense to me.

It seems like this is a smokescreen for something really (more) idiotic and embarrassing.  Or it might not be.  

[LA Vikes Fan]

I live in LA and have seen these guys. there are 4 players we should look into - Taylor Ward,  Luis Rengifo, Tyler Anderson and Carlos Estevez.  Ward is solid, not a star, but a good RH hitting power hitter who plays a pretty good LF. Controlled through 2026. Anderson was good in 2022, lousy last year, and has been good this year. He is in the second year of a three year, $39 million contract that is even at 13 million a year. Solid mid rotation left-handed starter that doesn't have a big contract. Estevez was the Angels closer last year and is this year. 31 years old with a decent track record, but would help our bullpen. Rengifo is 27, hitting over .300 this year after hitting .264 last year with a .784 OPS, over .800 OPS so far this year. A little stressed at shortstop and a very good second baseman, would be a guy we can plug and play for the next 3 to 5 years at second base. Getting $4.4 million this year, last year of arbitration in 2025. 

None of these guys are a big star but all of them could be very solid additions, particularly Anderson, Rengifo and Ward. None should cost one of our Top 100 prospects, but will require at least a solid return. Here's my two trade thoughts:

Option 1:

Twins get: Tyler Anderson and Taylor Ward

Angels get: Trevor Larnach or Matt Wallner, Luke Keaschall or Tanner Scholbel,  and Marco Raya or Corey Lewis, plus A ball guy

Option 2:

Twins get: Tyler Anderson, Luis Rengifo

Angels get: Edouard Julien, 2 of Louie Varland, Zebby Matthews, Jaylen Nowlin, Either Varland and Nowlin, or Matthews, Nowlin, and a decent non-pitching prospect like Schobel or Rosario. 

In either scenario, Twins get help for this year in return for future potential solid major league players or better, including at least one guy who is major league ready or close, either Larnach, Wallner, or Julien. I would actually be willing to trade Kirilloff instead but I don't think there's any market for him at this point given his injury status and his poor performance this year when he is allegedly healthy. I don't think anybody else as much interest in him at all.

I'm doing this because I think having a solid left-handed starter would really really help this team. I would put Paddack in the bullpen for now and have him as the #6 starter.  I think Varland is going to wind up in the BP long-term and don't see him a staring pitching depth. Fortunately, Woods-Richardson has shown so far that he could be a long-term starting pitcher but after that were really projecting guys did not yet even dominated AAA. Adding Anderson or Jesus Luzardo from Miami would really stabilize the rotation, the area that would have the biggest drop off from last season, and adding a consistent hitter would help the lineup. It's the classic short-term versus long-term but I do think the system enough to survive something like this.

[Bamboo Bat]

No & no & no thank you. The only one that moves the Twins needle northward at all might be Taylor Ward, & that's only if the front office admits they screwed up & jettison Margot to make room for him. But if he's going to bring multiple suitors, the price will be too high. Look at another team with pieces that can make a difference. 

[tony&rodney]

Falvey has the players he wanted for 2024. The budget has been spent. Now it is time to see how that roster finishes the season.

[bean5302]

36 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Falvey has the players he wanted for 2024. The budget has been spent. Now it is time to see how that roster finishes the season.

The budget has been spent? News to me that Joe Pohlad came out and announced the Twins have no budget for the deadline. I'd speculate the Twins would be willing to take on another $5-10MM of salary if they're in a good position at the deadline, especially after cutting payroll back as much as they did despite turning a profit last year.

[bean5302]

I think Sano will find a spot, but I also think there's probably a lot of bad blood between Sano and the Twins. Specifically, the Twins towards Sano.

[1991]

If you can get them cheap fine.  Otherwise pass.  Twins need to add youth and not guys that hit below .250 (like most of our current lineup).

 

[Linehan]

Jose soriano

[Aerodeliria]

The Angels are notoriously stingy when it comes to trading. That's why they continue to be bad year after year....eating bad contracts, losing good players to free agency and hanging on to players until their trade value is naught....

[Riverbrian]

Rengifo is the only player I'd consider giving up talent to acquire. I'd love to see him in a Twins uniform. 

Add Ben Joyce. I'd love to see him in the Twins bullpen. 

I'd be real interested in those two. 

After those two. Not interested in anyone... not even the tiniest bit. 

[old nurse]

There is still hope for thr Angels, they will not be sellers 

[Bodie]

19 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

It seems like this is a smokescreen for something really (more) idiotic and embarrassing.  Or it might not be.  

About the only way this could get more embarrassing is if it involved public masturbation!

 

Ah, Miguel being Miguel...

[Doctor Wu]

20 hours ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I had to read that line again of what happened. Did he just fall asleep while having the heat pack on? How does that happen? And can heating packs get THAT hot on their own? None of that makes any sense to me.

At this point, Sano is more entertaining being on another team!

[Doctor Wu]

26 minutes ago, old nurse said:

There is still hope for thr Angels, they will not be sellers 

Who knows? As things stand now, they would be sellers, but if, and only if, the Angels get Trout back in the lineup, as well as Rendon and Drury, and maybe even a healthy Sano, they could end up surprising some people. Willie Calhoun has ended up being a good pickup, and Soriano and Sandoval have looked pretty good as starting pitchers. But ... will management be that patient?  I agree that Rengifo might be the only one worth pursuing for the Twins. 

[Riverbrian]

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

Who knows? As things stand now, they would be sellers, but if, and only if, the Angels get Trout back in the lineup, as well as Rendon and Drury, and maybe even a healthy Sano, they could end up surprising some people. Willie Calhoun has ended up being a good pickup, and Soriano and Sandoval have looked pretty good as starting pitchers. But ... will management be that patient?  I agree that Rengifo might be the only one worth pursuing for the Twins. 

We are pretty close to agreement. Although... I think there is nothing the Angels can do to make themselves playoff contenders. Even if Trout, Rendon and Drury come back strong. The pitching is just... well... not good. Bullpen might be the worst in baseball. The Angels and Rockies are in a race for the worst run organization in baseball. I'd vote for the Angels as the worst because at least the Rockies are starting to produce a little something from the farm. The Angels simply haven't developed anything and they should have torn this thing down and started over years ago. 

The Twins need top end talent. They need to improve the group of 5 players who play every day. They need to add hitters to the group of Lewis, Buxton and Correa. Find hitters that are better than the other two (Castro and Miranda).

The 6 platoon guys... you are just moving parts around for minimum improvement.

Rengifo a switch hitter while exceptionally strong (2023 and 2024) against left handers still does a decent job against right handers and therefore wouldn't need to be platooned and his contract is still pretty reasonable. Playing multiple positions... He's the only one who makes sense for the Twins but even Rengifo wouldn't be big time improvement over Castro or Miranda. However, he would drop Castro down to a platoon spot which would allow you to drop a player like Farmer for example.  

I'd be OK placing a bet on Brandon Drury having a strong rebound in the 2nd half but not worth the bet at whatever is left on his contract this year. 4 Million? Because he may not improve... his track record of success is impressive but rather short.  

Calhoun is a left handed hitter who makes the minimum. He would just get in the way of Kepler, Kirilloff, Larnach, Wallner, Julien, Erod ETC. 

[Otaknam]

OMG! “weighted sweet-spot exit velocity, created by TD managing editor Matthew Trueblood”. Really! It’s not enough to have “exit velocity”. Now we have to have “sweet spot exit velocity”? Please stop with the over the top analytics! 

[MABB1959]

On 6/10/2024 at 2:22 PM, tony&rodney said:

Falvey has the players he wanted for 2024. The budget has been spent. Now it is time to see how that roster finishes the season.

I think the budget should have money now that they got the TV deal but they won't spend, never really have and that is not going to change.  Our limit seems to be 1-2 good players and fill the gaps with ?????????????

[nicksaviking]

Like others, I'm also not interested Angel bats. Unless we're talking Mike Trout, all the Angels have are complementary pieces, which is pretty much what the Twins offense is already. Trade for a difference maker bat or start promoting the prospects. Stop with the half measures.

Even less interested in Tyler Anderson and pretending his early season smoke and mirrors success is anything more than an aberration. Come the trade deadline, I put ZERO stock in what guys have done in a measly three months this season, I'm looking at track record.

Also no on relievers. They're too flakey and winners or losers based on small sample sizes. This front office strikes out on other team's relievers just about every time.

Only guys I'd be interested in are Patrick Sandoval and Reid Detmers, both of whom have been terrible this year, but FIP says they've had bad luck. Both look like they could be pretty decent starters and both might need a change of scenery.

[old nurse]

On 6/11/2024 at 7:12 AM, Doctor Wu said:

Who knows? As things stand now, they would be sellers, but if, and only if, the Angels get Trout back in the lineup, as well as Rendon and Drury, and maybe even a healthy Sano, they could end up surprising some people. Willie Calhoun has ended up being a good pickup, and Soriano and Sandoval have looked pretty good as starting pitchers. But ... will management be that patient?  I agree that Rengifo might be the only one worth pursuing for the Twins. 

The current GM has traded expiring contracts at the deadline. The only trade of a player with years of team control was Marsh fr what looks to be a very good catcher. What expiring contracts they traded seem to be useful but not helpful players except for Iglaseas.