Tuesday, July 29

ANAHEIM -- The Angels remain in the fringe of contention in the American League Wild Card chase but appear more primed to be sellers ahead of Thursday’s Trade Deadline.

The Angels had a chance to avoid being sellers and possibly even become buyers but have lost five of seven to drop to 51-55 on the season and five games back of the third and final AL Wild Card spot. They still have three more games against the Rangers before the Deadline but they’re running out of time to make an impact to alter the front office’s position. It also didn’t help to see veterans Jorge Soler and Chris Taylor land on the injured list on Saturday.

Interim manager Ray Montgomery, however, cautioned that he’s stressing to his players that there’s still plenty to play for even after the Deadline. The Tigers are an example of a team that sold at last year’s Deadline, only to get hot over the final two months and make a run to the postseason.

“When you have [56] games left, I don't think you're running out of time,” Montgomery said. “I do think there's an atmosphere of these games matter a little bit more than maybe prior but in the same breath, you have to keep it in perspective. The Deadline is only a piece to what we're doing. There's still a long way to go in this season.”

But if the Angels do decide to sell, here’s a look at players they could look to move before Thursday’s Deadline:

RHP Kenley Jansen

Jansen, who is MLB’s active saves leader with 465 and is targeting 500 for his career, has stated he doesn’t want to get traded, as he joined the Angels to try to help them end their postseason drought. Jansen, 37, signed a one-year deal worth $10 million and has converted 18 of his 19 save chances. He has a 3.11 ERA and has allowed some hard contact, which could bring down his value but he still has plenty to offer as a veteran reliever with a strong track record in the postseason.

LHP Tyler Anderson

Anderson is in the final year of his three-year, $39 million deal and has posted a 4.41 ERA in 21 starts this season. The 35-year-old was an All-Star last year and while he’s a soft-tossing lefty, he’s put together two solid seasons in a row and has a career 2.25 ERA in 12 postseason innings. He’s not likely to bring back a big haul but could be of use to a club looking for a veteran starter. Kyle Hendricks could also fit that mold but he hasn’t pitched as well as Anderson.

3B Yoán Moncada

Moncada has hit well when healthy, but he’s dealt with a right thumb injury, a right knee injury and was hit on the hand by a pitch on Saturday. The 30-year-old is still limited by his knee, as the switch-hitter hasn’t been able to bat right-handed. But Moncada, who signed a one-year deal worth $5 million in the offseason, has hit .216/.321/.455 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 42 games.

INF Luis Rengifo

Rengifo has struggled both offensively and defensively in his final year heading into free agency but had a strong year in 2024 and offers positional versatility. He’s also been hitting better in July after a slow start. His value, though, remains low but a team could be willing to take a flier on the 28-year-old because of his past production.

OF Taylor Ward

Unlike the others, Ward still remains under team control next year, which is why the Angels could be hesitant to move him. He hasn’t hit for much average this year but has already nearly matched his career high of 25 homers and has already established a career best in RBIs. He could definitely help a contender and could be moved for the right price, although it would be tough to replace him next year if the Angels plan to compete.

LHP Brock Burke

Burke, 28, has been solid in relief for the Angels the last two seasons and has a 3.35 ERA in an AL-leading 50 games this year. He's a durable lefty who also remains under team control for one more year. But if a contending team is in need of a left-handed reliever and makes a compelling offer, he could be moved.

LHP Reid Detmers

Detmers is by far the last likely to be traded, but his value has skyrocketed with his success after being converted to a reliever. There’s still a chance he could start again and remains under team control through 2028. So the Angels would have to be wowed to deal him.

Mike Trout reached a major milestone on Sunday, reaching 1,000 career RBIs with a two-run blast that went a projected 443 feet. But he's been limited to designated hitter duty since missing a month with a bone bruise in his surgically repaired left knee and it doesn’t look like he’s much closer to returning to right field. Trout did some work in the outfield in New York last week but has since shut that down due to discomfort. He’s only served as DH since coming back on May 30 but is hopeful he’ll return to the outfield this season.

“The last few days, it's been a bit achy,” Trout said. “So just slowing some things down a little bit. But still trying to get back out there for sure.”

Who has the highest batting average in a season in Angels history?

A. Rod Carew

B. Vladimir Guerrero

C. Darin Erstad

D. Tim Salmon

The Angels continue their 13-game homestand with three games against the Rangers, three against the White Sox and three more against the Rays. The Angels are hosting Harry Potter night on Tuesday and also are giving away a postcard shirt on Friday. For ticket information, visit Angels.com/tickets, and for Tuesday, visit Angels.com/HarryPotter.

C. Erstad, who hit .355 in 2000.

To subscribe to Angels Beat, visit this page and mark "Angels Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Angels or that they're checked as your favorite team.

View Online

© 2025 MLB Advanced Media, L.P. MLB trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of Major League Baseball. Visit MLB.com. Any other marks used herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

Please review our Privacy Policy.

You (mlb-newsletters@mlb.com) received this message because you registered to receive commercial email messages or purchased a ticket from MLB. 

Please add info@marketing.mlbemail.com to your address book to ensure our messages reach your inbox. If you no longer wish to receive commercial email messages from MLB.com, please unsubscribe or log in and manage your email subscriptions.

Postal Address: MLB.com, c/o MLB Advanced Media, L.P., 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020.