The Angels may spend the 2026 trade deadline trying to unload pieces, and Nolan Schanuel has quietly worked his way into that conversation.
Most of the buzz so far has centered on Reid Detmers, Jo Adell and Jose Soriano, but Schanuel brings a different kind of appeal. He’s heading into Year 1 of arbitration next season, which means he’s unlikely to get a massive raise. He’s also put up above-average offensive numbers for three straight years and gives the Angels a dependable glove at first base.
That’s exactly why he could draw real interest.
Los Angeles would not need to be actively shopping Schanuel for rival clubs to come calling. If a team believes his profile fits what it needs, the Angels would have to take that seriously. Interim GM John Mozeliak would be a fool not to listen.
At the same time, this is not a player the Angels should be eager to move just for the sake of it. First base is not exactly a position where the organization has obvious depth, and there isn’t anyone in the farm system ready to force the issue. Schanuel is a useful piece, and the Angels know it.
But first base is also one of the most replaceable spots on the diamond. The source points to names like Ben Rice, Matt Olson and Bryce Harper as stars at the position, while Alec Burleson, Jake Bauers and Kody Clemens have each hit 15-plus homers this season and posted OPS marks above .790, topping Schanuel’s production this year.
What makes Schanuel appealing anyway is the shape of his game. His career on-base percentage sits at .352, and his strikeout rate is just 14.8%. For a club hunting a steady bat in the middle of the lineup, that kind of consistency can be worth paying for.
That’s why teams such as the Diamondbacks, Guardians and Tigers could be willing to put together a prospect-heavy package. Schanuel has also caught fire lately, and his numbers have tracked closely with what he’s done in previous seasons.
He’s been a steady presence in the Angels lineup. If the right offer lands, that steadiness could be enough to make him one of the biggest surprises of the deadline.
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What makes the moment more delicate is the market itself, which has been shifting as other contenders have surged and narrowed the field of potential buyers. Interim GM John Mozeliak now has to navigate not just trade interest, but the larger question of whether Moreno will sign off on a deal that could define how the Angels approach the next few seasons. [Read more 🡒]