The Los Angeles Angels are all-in on trying to make the playoffs in 2023, and they are reportedly looking to add another starting pitcher before today’s trade deadline.
It wasn’t long ago that speculation swirled around the Los Angeles Angels over a potential blockbuster trade that would ship off MVP candidate Shohei Ohtani and alter the power structure in the league. However, everything changed when the struggling team showed signs of life and made the front office shift gears in their approach to the trade deadline.
Related: MLB trade tracker – MLB trades today with grades and analysis of 2023 trade deadline
Now the Angels are doing all they can to improve their roster before 6 PM ET and have done so with big deals for former White Sox ace Lucas Giolito, and Rockies first baseman CJ Cron. However, it seems they are not yet done when it comes to retooling the roster. Especially the starting rotation.
On Tuesday, MLB Network league insider Jon Morosi reported that “The Angels were still trying to add one more pitcher before the trade deadline.” If Los Angeles can land another starter before the deadline, let’s look at five impact arms they could be targeting to lead the rotation with Ohtani and Giolito.
5 pitchers Los Angeles Angels could target before the 6 PM ET trade deadline
Jack Flaherty
The St. Louis Cardinals have been one of the few clear-cut sellers on the trade market and starter Jack Flaherty has been up for grabs over the last week. While the 27-year-old has never been an All-Star he is a rock-solid starter (3.58 career ERA) and would be an upgrade over what the Los Angeles Angels have in the back end of the rotation.
Marcus Stroman
Two weeks ago it seemed like the Cubs would trade ace Marcus Stroman. However, with their improved play over the last week, that is no longer a guarantee. However, with the Blue Jays veteran likely to opt out of the final year of his deal and test free agency in the offseason, it would behoove Chicago to move him since this is still not a team that will go far if they win a Wild Card spot.
Jose Quintana
Jose Quintana has missed most of the Mets 2023 campaign with a rib injury, but if he is healthy, the one-time All-Star is a proven back-of-the-rotation veteran that would give the Angels depth and a fresh arm to try and secure a Wild Card spot in the fall.
Michael Lorenzen
All-Star Michael Lorenzen could be a primary target for Los Angeles before 6 PM ET. The long-time reliever has grown into a pretty good starter over the last season and he is peaking at just the right time (1.098 WHIP) before he hits free agency this winter. He makes a lot of sense for the Angels since he is very motivated to increase his value for the offseason and makes them notably better for the home stretch.
Eduardo Rodriguez
Along with Lorenzen, the Detroit Tigers are also expected to move veteran Eduardo Rodriguez before the trade deadline. The 30-year-old is quietly having one of the best seasons of his career (2.95 ERA) and would be an under-the-radar move that could make a big difference the rest of the season while not coming out too high a cost.
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