The Los Angeles Angels still have a shot at making the playoffs, albeit a very slim chance. They are currently 11.5 games back of the third wild card spot. Though, it appears that the Angels have given up and have cashed in on not making the playoffs. According to Jeff Passan, the Angels made many roster moves this afternoon:
For starters, the Angels have gone just 18-23 since the all-star break and 7-18 in the month of August. While AL West Rivals – Houston, Seattle and Texas have all done significantly better in that stretch. The Astros, who in fact hold the third wild card spot have gone 25-17 since the break and 15-11 in August. The Rangers have gone 22-18 and 14-11 respectively and the Mariners, who hold the division lead have gone 30-12 after the break and 20-5 this month.
It was apparent, that the Angels season might have been over once they lost Shohei Ohtani‘s pitching due to a UCL tear. As well as Mike Trout back to the IL.
The Los Angeles Angels just traded for Lucas Giolito at the trade deadline and for the most part, he has been disappointing. In the 6 games he’s pitched, he has a 6.89 ERA across 32.2 innings. In that span, he’s struck out 34 batters, walked 15 and given up 10 home runs.
Matt Moore has been a solid reliever for the Angels this season, boasting a 3-1 record with a 2.30 ERA and 0.97 WHIP across 43 innings. In half of the games he’s pitched in (40), he has recorded a hold (20). Meanwhile, Reynaldo Lopez has only pitched in 12 games for the Angels but still had a solid 2.31 ERA across 11.2 innings. He has recorded 2 saves and 4 holds in that time.
Hunter Renfroe is known for his power more than anything else. He’s currently second on the Angels roster in at-bats behind only Ohtani. In 124 games, he’s slashed .239/.300/.425 with 30 2Bs and 18 HRs. While, Grichuk has struggled this season, slashing .140/.190/.280. He’s only recorded 2 doubles, 1 triple and 3 home runs.
After making such moves, you have to wonder how this will affect Ohtani’s decision in the offseason. Granted, these moves will provide some salary relief, but all of them can be claimed of waivers for free on Thursday. No trades, the teams that pick them up just have to pay the remainder of their salaries.
So, while it may be smart to take some of that salary off the books. It does appear that the Angels have given up on making the playoffs.
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