The Angels’ trade deadline reset has opened the door for a few players who now get a real chance to make their case.
With José Soriano, Logan O’Hoppe, and Jo Adell moved out in what the source describes as a long overdue fire sale, the final stretch of the season has turned into something more than just filler. For Tyler Heineman, Ryan Johnson, and Jose Siri, these next few months could determine whether they stick around as part of the club’s future plans.
Heineman is the clearest example of a player who isn’t being asked to become something he isn’t. Nobody is pretending he’s the catcher of the future for the Halos. But the Angels also don’t have that answer in place right now, and if Heineman performs well enough down the stretch, he could put himself in position for a job in 2027 with Los Angeles.
His numbers on the season are rough - .172/.226/.233 across time with the Toronto Blue Jays and the Angels - though the bat has at least shown some improvement since he arrived in LA. What matters more, though, is the work behind the plate. Mozeliak clearly saw issues there with O’Hoppe, and if Heineman can show he’s steady defensively while adding even a little offense, he could wind up earning a backup role next season.
Johnson’s path is different, but the opportunity is just as real. Soriano’s departure leaves innings up for grabs, and Johnson will get a longer look the rest of the way.
He hasn’t been effective over his two seasons with the Angels, carrying a 7.16 ERA in 65 and 1/3 innings, but his most recent outing gave the team something to build on. He went 4 and 2/3 innings and allowed just one earned run.
More starts like that could give the front office a reason to believe there’s more here than the ERA suggests.
Siri, meanwhile, has a chance to turn a strong enough season into a place on the roster next year. With Adell no longer in the outfield mix, Siri’s role becomes more important, and his production has at least given the Angels something to work with. He’s batting .267/.328/.474 with six home runs and 19 runs batted in, numbers that could make him a solid fourth outfielder if he keeps them moving in the right direction.
The broader season may still look bleak, but for these three, the stakes are suddenly much sharper. The games might not change the standings much. They could change a lot for the players taking the field.
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