ANAHEIM -- The Angels are headed into the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline as sellers, but the real question is how deep they’re willing to cut.
With a 38-59 record entering the All-Star break, the club is in position to move pieces. What’s unclear is whether this becomes a light reset or something far more aggressive.
José Soriano and Reid Detmers could draw interest as starting pitchers, but both are controlled through 2028. Zach Neto, who isn’t a free agent until 2030, would likely bring back a significant return.
Jo Adell could also be in play, especially with right-handed-hitting outfielders in short supply and Adell under control beyond next year. The Angels could also shop relievers such as Ryan Zeferjahn or Kirby Yates, while hoping Jorge Soler catches fire before the Deadline.
Interim general manager John Mozeliak isn’t ready to tip his hand just yet. He said Friday that he’s still getting his bearings inside the organization and has spent much of his time working with the scouting department in advance of the Draft.
“Not yet, not one that I think I'm ready to share publicly,” Mozeliak said on Friday. “I'd be lying if I didn't say I've started to, like, noodle around on it, but really a lot of my energy to date has been two things: one is getting to know the people that work here because I wanted to know names, faces, roles, what they do, and so a lot of energy's gone into that. But it’s mostly been the Draft and working with that team.”
Mozeliak said he’s trying to identify what the organization already does well and where it needs work. He suggested there may be changes ahead in how roles are structured and deployed, though he wasn’t prepared to spell that out publicly.
“I think my early takeaway is there's a lot of really good people that work here,” Mozeliak said. “Do I think we need to better understand roles, responsibilities and how they're being deployed?
Yes. Am I prepared to discuss that in a public setting like this?
No. But it’s something I know is going to require time and energy.
And again, I'm really excited about the people I've gotten to know and talk to because I do think there is a smart group of people here, but how we're deployed and how we're used is something we got to look at.”
He also said his main communication has been with club president Molly Jolly, who hired him, rather than owner Arte Moreno.
“Most of my, or all of my, communication is really with Molly,” Mozeliak said. “Keeping her abreast on what we're doing, what we're working on.”
From a roster standpoint, the Angels’ farm system is pitching-heavy, which makes the idea of dealing a starter like Detmers or Soriano even more interesting. If they do move a major arm, it would make sense for them to target position players with years of control, especially hitters who can help on the offensive side. That need is obvious in the outfield, where contact-oriented bats would fit.
Detmers stands out as the biggest chip. Neto may be the most valuable player they could move, but with three more years of team control, he doesn’t look like a likely trade candidate.
Detmers, meanwhile, is under control through 2028 and brings left-handed stuff that other clubs will covet. His first half included a 4.39 ERA in 19 starts, along with 123 strikeouts, 35 walks and 12 home runs allowed in 108 2/3 innings.
Another young name to watch is 22-year-old Guzman, who has been getting a longer look at third base. A natural shortstop, he’s handled the move to the hot corner well and has shown some of the upside that makes him important to the organization. In 28 games, he has hit .262/.307/.411 with four homers, four doubles and 14 RBIs.
The bigger question hanging over everything is whether the Angels decide a full rebuild is necessary. Mozeliak will have to weigh whether to overhaul the roster and move multiple players who are under contract beyond this season. The Angels have resisted that kind of path before, especially with Mike Trout still on the roster, so the Deadline could reveal just how far they’re willing to go.
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