Mike Trout was healthy during the first half of the 2025 season, and the Los Angeles Angels were off to a great start. However, the former MVP did not survive past April before suffering a knee injury that put him on the Angels’ injured list, and the team dropped to last place in the American League West.
After the Angels fell off a cliff, manager Ron Washington is under fire. The team must keep two goals in mind while considering any possible transactions. First of all, Trout’s return is on the horizon, but the team needs to be able to tread water until then. Secondly, Trout is 33 years old and shows no sign of slowing down. Los Angeles has a shot as long as their best player is on the team.
Depending on how they approach it, the Angels’ trade deadline this year might prove to be pivotal. Los Angeles demonstrated their willingness to push their chips to the middle of the table this summer when they signed Jorge Soler. Now, it is only a matter of implementing their plan and find their way back into the debate in their division.
As the trade deadline draws near, the Angels may seek these three players.
Athletics Relief Pitcher Jose Leclerc
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Although it’s risky to trade for an injured athlete, Jose Leclerc may be an exception. The reliever came up clutch throughout the postseason and was a crucial part of the Texas Rangers’ 2023 championship drive. Even though he hasn’t played as well as he used to, he is still a talented player.
Leclerc visited the Athletics over the offseason, but he was placed on the 60-day injured list due to a lat strain. He will return before the trade deadline, barring a setback in his recuperation. The Athletics may then determine that he is not worth maintaining. Los Angeles may jump in and make a bid, but other contenders would come clamoring.
Although Kenley Jansen is off to a strong start, Washington’s bullpen needs more support. Veteran Leclerc has shown his mettle in the most crucial situations. When everyone on the Angels’ roster is healthy again, he is a valuable guy to have around next season, at the very least.
Colorado Rockies Starting Pitcher German Marquez
When compared to their counterparts, every club that advances far in the postseason has a starting rotation that is decent to excellent. To get into that discussion, Los Angeles must make significant improvements to their starting pitcher. Despite having strong stats, Tyler Anderson and Yusei Kikuchi aren’t winning games.
The 30-year-old Marquez plays in the league’s most hitter-friendly stadium, yet he has the same issue as the Angels’ current pitchers. His record is 1-6, which is in addition to the fact that the Colorado offense is awful. He might be able to revitalize his career with just a change of scenery. This season, Marquez achieved a significant milestone, but he still needs an opportunity to show the league his abilities.
Marquez is too old to play a big role in the Rockies’ future, and they are in the middle of a protracted reconstruction. Adding another arm to the rotation is a positive move for the Angels, who have a potential to make a much shorter turnaround. If Los Angeles agrees to make the call later this summer, the two may be a match made in heaven.
Atlanta Braves Shortstop Orlando Arcia
Together with Soler, Orlando Arcia was a crucial component of the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series victory. Now that Nick Allen has emerged, he is having trouble getting into the field. Despite the 30-year-old’s poor numbers, it seems the Braves are prepared to let him go.
Arcia is a player whose team may be willing to sell to the highest bidder, and Los Angeles would leap at the opportunity. Zachary Neto already has the starting role at shortstop, but he can push Yoan Moncada for time at third base. For a guy like Arcia, it all comes down to picking the perfect opponent, and the Angels may be one side that takes a risk on him.
Los Angeles has shown flashes throughout the season, and the right trade could be the key to unlocking their consistency in the second half of the year. Despite being without Trout for the time being and looking up at the rest of their divisional rivals, the team is at a point in their regular season that is familiar to them.
