Just In: Angels to take advantage of Braves at trade deadline after crushing Albies injury

With another competitor facing a major injury just before the trade deadline, LA must seize the opportunity and make a move in the trade market while they can.

In the weeks leading up to the trade deadline, a lot can change. Teams that weren’t initially selling may start if they hit a losing streak, and buyers might shift their focus quickly due to injuries. For teams like the Los Angeles Angels, who are already clear sellers, such market fluctuations can offer valuable opportunities.

 

 

One such opportunity may have arisen for the Angels due to recent news about the Braves. Their star second baseman, Ozzie Albies, fractured his wrist and is expected to be out for a few months. With the Braves already linked to a potential trade for Luis Rengifo, the Angels might be able to capitalize on the Braves’ urgent need.

An Angels-Braves trade for Luis Rengifo just got a lot more likely

Before the Albies injury, there was already a strong case for the Angels and Braves to consider a trade for Rengifo. While Atlanta’s shortstop Orlando Arcia is known for his defensive skills, his batting in 2024 has been dreadful. Rengifo, despite not being a strong defender, has shown promising offensive performance this season, making him appealing to a Braves team struggling to score runs.

With Albies out for most of the second half, the Braves might be more inclined to bolster their infield. They’ve recently signed Whit Merrifield for depth and called up prospect Nacho Alvarez, but neither is guaranteed to make a significant impact in the majors this year. Additionally, Merrifield was injured during warmups on Monday. Although Rengifo’s health is a concern, especially for immediate help, he is reportedly resuming baseball activities and should return before the trade deadline.

The main obstacle to a Rengifo trade is the Angels’ reluctance to part with players who aren’t pending free agents. However, taking such a valuable trade asset off the market seems unwise given the interest in Rengifo. With another top contender potentially joining the bidding war, the Angels would be remiss not to consider offers for him.