Who stays, who goes? Angels face key Deadline decisions

SAN FRANCISCO -- This year’s Aug. 3 Trade Deadline seems especially important for the Angels under interim general manager John Mozeliak, who has been tasked with turning around the fortunes of a franchise that hasn’t made the postseason since 2014.

Mozeliak must determine how aggressive to be at the Deadline, as the club’s most valuable assets are all under team control beyond this season. Starting pitchers Reid Detmers and José Soriano are the most frequently named among trade rumors, and both are under team control through 2028. And then there’s shortstop Zach Neto, who isn’t a free agent until 2030, and right fielder Jo Adell, who becomes a free agent after next season.

Otherwise, the club’s veteran impending free agents such as slugger Jorge Soler and relievers Kirby Yates and Brent Suter won’t bring much in return. It’s a reason why the Angels seem likely to move either Detmers or Soriano, as it’s the best way to bring in some much-needed young position-player talent. They’re in the market for a lefty power bat and possibly a catcher, given Logan O’Hoppe’s struggles over the past two seasons.

Here’s a look at their possible trade pieces and why they will or won’t move them ahead of Aug. 3.

LHP Reid Detmers
Detmers is back in the rotation after a strong year in relief last season and is a valuable commodity because of his plus-stuff from the left side and his improved command. The 27-year-old has a 4.05 ERA in 21 starts but has strong peripheral stats with 136 strikeouts, 37 walks and 13 homers allowed in 120 innings. There’s a solid chance he gets moved if the Angels are offered the right package, because he should bring back a substantial haul.

RHP José Soriano
Soriano looked like an ace early in the season with a 0.84 ERA through his first seven starts, but he has posted a 4.90 ERA in 14 outings since. His biggest issue has been control, as his 54 walks lead the American League. But the 27-year-old has elite stuff with his power sinker that generates plenty of grounders to complement his splitter and knuckle-curve. He’s also mixed in a four-seamer more to help change the eye level of hitters and rack up more strikeouts. There’s a chance the club could move both Detmers and Soriano, but it seems increasingly likely at least one will be dealt.

SS Zach Neto
The biggest wild card is if the Angels trade Neto, a star player who remains under team control for three more years. He’s had another solid season despite a concerning increase in his strikeout rate and errors at shortstop. It’s rare for a player with that many years of control to be traded at the Deadline, so it still doesn’t seem likely. It would also indicate that the Halos are in for a full rebuild, something they’ve been hesitant to do.

RF Jo Adell
Adell broke out last season with 37 homers and 98 RBIs in 152 games, but he has seen his OPS dip from .778 last year to .685 this year due to a drop in power production. It’s hurt his trade value, but there is a dearth of right-handed bats on the market, so there’s still a chance the Angels get an offer they like. If not, he could be moved in the offseason or held onto for next year in the hope his power returns.

DH Jorge Soler
The Angels have been trying to get Soler going, giving him plenty of starts as the club’s cleanup hitter, but he’s mostly struggled at the plate this season. The 34-year-old is slashing just .205/.293/.372 with 11 homers and 45 RBIs in 80 games. If the Halos can get anything in return for him, they should move on and potentially even designate him for assignment if there are no takers.

RHP Kirby Yates
Yates has blown three saves in six chances but has a 3.80 ERA with 30 strikeouts and 10 walks in 23 2/3 innings. The 39-year-old still has a strong strikeout rate and plenty of experience, so a contending team could be interested in adding him as a setup reliever.

LHP Brent Suter
Suter's value is as a versatile innings eater out of the bullpen, as he's posted a 4.47 ERA with 49 strikeouts and 14 walks in 56 1/3 innings. The 36-year-old is also considered a strong clubhouse presence. He wouldn’t bring back much but could help a team looking for a veteran lefty arm.

RHPs Ryan Zeferjahn, Sam Bachman, Chase Silseth
Zeferjahn (3.75 ERA, 67 strikeouts in 48 innings), Bachman (3.95 ERA, 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings) and Silseth (3.95 ERA, 45 strikeouts in 43 1/3 innings) have all been solid this year and remain under team control beyond this year. All three remain under team control through 2030 so there’s no urgency to move any of them, but if they get the right offer, any of the three could bring back a solid return.