Rebuilding the Halos: A Deep Dive Into Candidates for the Deadline Part 2
July 2, 2025 - Written by Jas Singh
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
After reviewing, the candidates that may have had some question marks looming around spring training, but have certainly picked it up and carved some solid roles with the ballclub in last week's journal. I would now like to get into the guys similar to Travis d’Arnaud that are on the cusp to be dealt at the deadline.
Kenley Jansen (Likelihood to Get Traded: Medium)
The fact of the matter is as Angels fans we know the kind of owner Arte Moreno is. Even with aglimmer of hope to somehow find a place in the wild card to then face a juggernaut like the Yankees or Astros, Moreno won’t likely sell unless this team somehow completely falls apart (which as lately sure doesn’t seem like it). Kenley Jansen has surely been a key piece of any bullpen he’s played on. Outside of the ugly game against the Tigers, he has been lights out when the team needs him. He is a perfect 15 of 15 in save opportunities this year (not as of the Nationals series) and his ERA is at 4.56 which is inflated due to that one game. He is a valuable veteran piece any manager loves to have in the clubhouse and he is on a seemingly team friendly deal that ends at the conclusion of the season. My take is simple: if the team falls out of contention, Perry must immediately field calls for Jansen and definitely won’t have trouble finding suitors. Teams will gravitate towards the 1 year 10 million dollar contract and will use him in situations where a veteran is vital. However, let’s switch places and say this team is playing past its potential and Jansen continues to be near perfect in save situations. This is where I would consider keeping the former 4 time All-Star unless the return is substantial. At the same time of competing as an organization we must continue to look towards the future and maximize our assets. If we can acquire a Luis Garcia-esque return (which could be way higher due to Jansen’s value) we probably have to pull the trigger and trust Reid Detmers can try to fill the gap of a closer.
Jorge Soler (Likelihood to Get Traded: Medium)
When the Jorge Soler deal occurred I was pleasantly surprised and excited about the power of 2021 World Series MVP. The ballclub knew what they would get with Soler, power with a struggle to be consistent at the plate. My only hope for him was to hopefully get a change in strikeout numbers, but that simply hasn’t happened this year. Soler is striking out 30% of the time whereas the league average hovers around 23-24%. He has struggled to stay healthy so I can give him the benefit of the doubt with his lower numbers this year batting just .207 with 8 home runs. However, other issues accompany him, deterring potential suitors from relinquishing value to acquire him. The strikeout numbers being the most apparent, but he truly hasn’t been healthy all year dealing with a nagging back then groin. He wouldn’t be that cheap of a rental either as he is due 16 million through 2026. Given his consistent power and his role as a clutch playoff rental for numerous teams over the years, I do believe Soler is still valuable. Plus his 2021 run is still in the minds of many baseball fans and front offices. I still like the notion of keeping him and attempting to move him in the final year of his contract if there isn't genuine value in doing so now. I do have faith that a healthy Soler can completely turn it around and be quite the stabilizer at the 6th or 7th spot in this lineup. He has also remained solid in left field making some great defensive and highlight reel plays. In my eyes, if a trade can’t be met this deadline, the ballclub should try to deal him next year and give Gustavo Campero at bats if Soler struggles to keep healthy. I truly believe fans would rather give Soler another half of a season then LaMonte Wade Jr. who has been completely lost at the plate.
Taylor Ward (Likelihood to Get Traded: Medium)
Being a huge Taylor Ward fan it pains me to even bring his name in discussions like these. Ward is obviously having a career year at the plate and has been solid defensively. Ward already has 20 home runs and is batting .210 with 56 RBIs and a .752 OPS. This is obviously the best Ward has been in his career. He is set to double his career high in homers from last season and is slugging .469. His peak performance along with being limited control could set up the Angels to acquire 2+ MLB-ready prospects. There is no failed interest in Ward either as teams such as the Phillies, Guardians, Giants, and the Padres are being rumored to pursue him in the coming weeks. This isn’t a move I would normally push for, but Ward’s limited control and many teams desire for his talents pushes me to believe Perry can get quite the haul for his services. This is of course if Arte decides he wants the team to sell. Though losing Ward does hurt the lineup and take away a fantastic player with runners in scoring position, I think the squad can still contend even if Ward is dealt. Ward is likely the teams top trading chip and can surely replenish one of the most depleted farms in the league, but if the team continues to contend Arte will surely push to hang on to him for another year.
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