The Los Angeles Angels are not going to break any of their disappointing streaks this season.
The Angels have not made the postseason since 2014 and have not had a winning season since 2015, when they were 85-77, finishing three games out of a competitive AL West. A shorter streak of three consecutive years in the division basement seems unlikely to end as well.
Although the Angels have typically been loath to trade significant parts of the roster, it is long past time. There are a few interesting pieces who could be potential building blocks, but the Angels desperately need an infusion of young talent. They could begin the process of building a winning roster with the right moves.
Three players the Los Angeles Angels could move before the trade deadline
Relief pitcher Kirby Yates
Yates missed the first month of the season due to left knee inflammation but has been a solid part of the Angels bullpen since returning from the Injured List. He has posted a 3.86 ERA and a 1.179 WHiP over his 9.1 innings entering Friday, striking out 12 batters with four walks.
A two-time All-Star, Yates has served in a variety of roles in the bullpen. While he has been primarily used as a setup man, Yates has had success as a closer and led the majors with 41 saves in 2019. Although he may not be viewed as a closer at this point in his career, Yates can be a valuable option for a contender looking to fortify the bullpen.
Outfielder Jo Adell
A former first-round pick, Adell seemed destined to be regarded as a bust before showing signs of a breakout when he hit 20 homers in 2024. The breakout came in 2025, as he posted a career best .236/.293/.485 batting line with 37 homers and 18 doubles in his 573 plate appearances.
Adell has not been able to build on that success this season, but could be an intriguing option for teams looking for a power-hitting outfielder. He is capable of playing all three spots in the outfield as well, adding to his potential value. Adell is under team control through 2027 and could be an intriguing buy-low option.
Starting pitcher Reid Detmers
A consensus top-100 prospect ahead of the 2022 season, Detmers has shown flashes of his potential but has been unable to consistently live up to expectations. That would appear to be the case again this season as Detmers has a 2-5 record with a 4.63 ERA.
However, his other stats and metrics paint a better picture. Detmers has a 1.176 WHiP with 82 strikeouts and 22 walks over his 68 innings. His 2.99 FIP and 36.9% hard-hit rate both show that he has been unlucky. Although he is under team control through 2028, ESPN’s Jeff Passan speculated that Detmers could become available, making him one of the more prized controllable arms on the trade block. A change of scenery may be what Detmers needs to fulfill his potential.