Angels News: All-Star Closer Challenges Front Office Ahead of Trade Deadline

Despite all the talk against them over the last few weeks, the Angels are holding strong in the wild card race. The team has won five of six games, as they now head out for a long road trip that will take them through the trade deadline.

Their future with Shohei Ohtani could depend on how they perform this coming week, but the other players on the team aren’t focusing on that. They are trying to win baseball games, and the team feels very confident right now.

After their win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, All-Star closer Carlos Estévez had some words for the front office. He challenged them to not be sellers at the deadline, but rather go out to get the team some help for a potential playoff push.

Carlos Estévez said he's happy playing with the guys on this team already. But on the Angels becoming buyers?

“The front office knows what we need. I think they’re going to go out and get the right (players). If we get some additions, well, ‘Welcome. Let’s get some Halos wins.’”
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 23, 2023

If the team does decide to buy rather than sell, it could help their case to keep Ohtani this winter. He has spoken about his want to win as the biggest priority, so if the club shows him that they will try t win, maybe he decides to stay. It’s wishful thinking, but you never know.

The Angels have a talented ballclub that looked like a playoff team about a month ago. They should be getting star outfielder Mike Trout back in a few weeks, so it makes sense why they may decide to push the cards in to go for things.

However, it’s not without risk. If the team doesn’t move Ohtani and decides to be buyers but still misses the postseason, it will be a bad look. It’s a slippery slope for the Angels front office, but they kind of owe it to their fans to at least try.

If Ohtani leaves in the offseason, they can’t help that. But while he is on the team, they need to do whatever it takes to win games.