The Los Angeles Angels kicked off their offseason with a headline-grabbing trade, sending Taylor Ward to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez. Initially, this move was hailed as a smart decision.
Trading Ward seemed necessary, and acquiring a former top prospect with four years of team control was seen as a major win for Angels GM Perry Minasian. However, recent developments have cast some doubt on this trade.
The situation in the Angels' outfield has shifted dramatically. Initially, the plan in Anaheim was to manage three corner outfielders: Mike Trout, Ward, and Jo Adell.
Concerns about Trout's injuries suggested he'd stay in right field, while Adell struggled in center, and Ward was below average in left. The belief was that one of them needed to be moved.
Trading Ward was a strategic decision that could potentially secure Minasian's future in Anaheim, especially if Rodriguez fulfills his potential as an ace. The trade also saved the team $12 million, a significant financial win at the start of the offseason.
However, the original issue prompting the Ward trade has evaporated. Trout is now set to play center field, which changes the dynamics.
Instead of featuring an impressive offensive trio of Ward, Trout, and Adell, the Angels will have Josh Lowe in left field. Despite a standout season in 2023, Lowe's performance has since dipped, and he doesn't match Ward's offensive prowess.
While Rodriguez remains an exciting addition to the pitching staff, the financial savings from the Ward trade were used on veteran free agents with modest contracts. The restructuring of Anthony Rendon's contract had fans hoping for a new star in Anaheim, but the big acquisition turned out to be Yoan Moncada.
In retrospect, trading Ward for Rodriguez still holds value, but the anticipated benefits - financial relief and an overabundance of outfielders - didn't fully materialize. Rodriguez could indeed become a key figure in the Angels' rotation, yet Ward had developed into one of the premier right-handed hitting outfielders in the league, leaving a noticeable gap in the Angels' lineup.