Who Are the Angels’ Best Trade Assets at the Deadline?

It’s shaping up to be another losing season for the Los Angeles Angels as they haven’t reached the postseason since 2014. Even during a year where the American League is significantly weak, the Angels still stand 12.5 games out of a wild-card spot and 13.5 games behind the American League West leader Texas Rangers.

The trade deadline is now just a week away looming on August 3 and the Angels will have quite a few pieces that they could move to further boost their farm system and look towards the future. They have four veterans on expiring contracts who seem most likely to find new homes within the next week, while also a group of more controllable young players who could fetch a haul in return.

John Mozeliak has taken over for former GM Perry Minasian, and it will be interesting to see what direction he steers the Angels through the deadline. After years of buying at the deadline when they clearly weren’t in contention, or not selling off enough, it might finally be the year where we see the Angels make some smart moves at the deadline.

In a recent article put out by Angels beat reporter Rhett Bollinger, Mozeliak shared his thoughts about the upcoming trade deadline: “We are going to have to be very open-minded… there’s certain times where you have the ability to get better”. He’s definitely hinting at listening to what teams have to offer and where the team can get better looking towards the future.

With all the trade buzz surrounding the Angels, highlighted are four rental players who the club could move, along with four controllable, young players who would demand a significantly better return. 

Relievers not mentioned below like Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman, and Chase Silseth could also garner interest from around the league — it could be a similar deal to last summer’s Louis Varland trade between the Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays.

All stats updated prior to games on Wednesday, July 29

Rentals

Jorge Soler, DH

In February of 2024, Jorge Soler signed a three-year $42 million contract with the San Francisco Giants — a contract that he is still on. Just a few months later during the 2024 trade deadline, the Giants shipped Soler to the Atlanta Braves. After splitting the 2024 season with San Francisco and Atlanta, the Braves traded Soler to the Angels in October of 2024 in a one-for-one deal, sending back Griffin Canning.

Soler really hasn’t provided much to the Angels over the last year and half. For being the designated hitter, it’s been very disappointing the approach and results he is given at the plate. This season over 84 games, Soler is only hitting for a .205 average with a .671 OPS. He’s hit 12 home runs and driven in 48 runs, but he doesn’t have a great plan of attack. Soler is striking out at a poor 32.3% clip and drawing walks at a 9.9% rate. His swing seems to always be on the same plane and doesn’t seem to adjust to where the pitch location is.

Kirby Yates, RHP

Yates is in the middle of his second stint with the Angels after being signed to a one-year, $5 million contract over the offseason. His surface stats look solid with a 3.55 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, but it’s not been smooth when he finds himself in the game. The front office signed him as their closer but he’s only been able to secure three of his six save opportunities.

He might be more beneficial to another team when not being used in safe situations, but it ultimately hasn’t worked out with the Angels. For being 39-years old and averaging 90.8 mph on his fastball, that’s not ideal for a closer. Yates has given up the walks this year (10.2%) which has come around to hurt him in certain situations. On top of that, he’s been getting hit pretty hard and struggles to keep the ball on the ground.

Brent Suter, LHP

Out of the four rental pieces mentioned in this section, Suter might have the most value with the highest odds to be traded. He’s been a workhorse out of the Angels bullpen already logging 56.1 innings over 37 appearances. Suter has been used for the standard one inning, long relief roles, and has even opened twice this season — he can do it all.

His ERA is a bit high at a 4.40 mark, but his 3.62 FIP indicates that certain factors have skewed his performance for the worst. Suter’s stuff won’t overwhelm opponents, which hasn’t led to much whiff, chase, or strikeouts. He still finds other ways to be effective, limiting hard-contact and producing groundballs at an excellent 47.1% clip.

Given that Suter would be a rental and only signed for $1.25 million, he should draw plenty of attention from other contending clubs. His four-pitch mix gives him lots of flexibility in different roles, clubs value versatility and it will certainly boost his value. Suter probably has the highest chance of being moved out of any Angels player.

Adam Frazier, INF

Already on his sixth major league team since debuting in 2016, Frazier has given each team he plays with a good approach at the plate and ability to play plenty of different positions. He originally signed a minor league contract with an invite to spring training but is now making $1,750,000 on the major league roster.

He hasn’t had much run this season with the Angels due to injuries and not having a starting role. In a small sample size of 93 plate appearances, Frazier is hitting just .210 with seven extra-base hits and six runs driven in. He certainly wouldn’t be a splashy trade, but he could provide solid veteran depth off the bench for a contending team. As of right now, Frazier is on a rehab assignment and is inching closer to a return to the Angels.

Controllable Pieces

Reid Detmers, LHP

Besides Tarik Skubal (if he’s available), Detmers might be the most sought after starting pitcher on the trade market. The southpaw has made 22 starts thus far and is pitching to a 4.03 ERA and 1.10 WHIP. The most appealing part about Detmers’ profile is that he’s under club control through the 2028 season. His numbers won’t really blow you away, but as a 27-year old, he already has a no-hitter and an immaculate inning under his belt.

He works primarily with four pitches consisting of a fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. His breaking balls are very effective and tend to miss bats resulting in exceptional chase, whiff, and strikeouts rates. Detmers doesn’t get hit real hard and he’s done a good job this year limiting walks to a 7.4% rate. 

If the Tigers decide to hold on Skubal, it could make clubs even more desperate for a front line starter which could further increase the return for Detmers. Fellow Angels’ starter José Soriano could be just as valuable. If the organization decides to trade both Detmers and Soriano, they could turn an already promising farm system into one of the better ones in the league.

José Soriano, RHP

The first month of the 2026 season was dominated by Soriano who had a 0.24 ERA through his first six starts of the year, which is equivalent to one earned run across 37.2 innings. He became the first pitcher since 1900 to allow one or fewer total runs through his first six starts of the season.

Soriano has cooled off quite noticeably since, owning a 4.64 ERA over his last 16 starts. Even since coming back down to earth, he’s been better lately allowing three runs or less in each of his last five starts. For the season, Soriano owns a 3.29 ERA and 1.25 WHIP so he’s still been solid even after his incredible run of six starts to open the season.

He has the same amount of control left as Detmers, being under club control through the 2028 season. The Angels should be fielding plenty of calls on both Soriano and Detmers considering they’ll be two of the better pitchers to grab at the August 3 deadline.

Zach Neto, SS

It would be pretty shocking if Neto was moved, but certainly don’t rule it out. He’s one of the better young shortstops in the league and won’t be a free agent until after the 2029 season. Neto’s bat in-terms of power has been good this year, but he’s striking out at a very unhealthy 31.4% clip — his 148 total strikeouts currently leads the American League by 11 punchouts.

Through 105 games, Neto has hit 19 home runs, 21 doubles, and three triples to go along with 46 RBI. His power production is certainly there but he could work to get his batting average up to a more healthy clip — Neto had a career best .257 batting average in 2025 but he could certainly top that mark in the future.

Trading Neto is an option but the Angels’ should make sure they are getting the right return before pulling the trigger. For a young and athletic shortstop in Neto and the amount of control he still has, it’ll be interesting to see how they handle Neto at the deadline. He’ll be the top shortstop on the market along with CJ Abrams if the Washington Nationals decide to entertain offers.

Jo Adell, OF

Adell is an interesting trade candidate this summer but considering the fact he’s under control through 2027 and that he’s having a bit of a down year, they could wait until the offseason or next summer to trade him to see if his production increases.

After coming off a huge breakout season in 2025 where he hit 37 home runs, collected 98 runs driven in, and posted a career best .778 OPS, Adell has seen a decline in production this season. He’s currently hitting for a .241 average with a .691 OPS paired with 16 home runs and doubles. The bat speed is still incredible, but his overall power production has taken a step back.

Between Detmers, Soriano, and Neto, Adell would likely bring back the smallest trade package — but for most players on the Angels roster, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to listen to offers. If the Angels want to look towards the future while not completely tearing things down, an Adell trade might be suited best for a later date.