Angels News: Halos Acquiring Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez From White Sox in Blockbuster Trade
The Los Angeles Angels are clearly all in on winning this season. Just a few hours after it was announced that the team was not trading Shohei Ohtani, they went big, trading for the top starting pitcher on the market — Lucas Giolito — and one of the top relievers — Reynaldo Lopez — from the White Sox. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported on the deal, including what the Angels are giving up — top prospects Edgar Quero and Ky Bush.
This is an insane blockbuster for the Halos, and proves that they're all in on winning this season. Giolito was one of, if not, the top starting pitcher on the trade market, and he's now heading to Anaheim to shore up a rotation in need of help.
Lopez, one of the better relievers on the market, will shore up the bullpen, providing a nice one-two punch with All-Star closer Carlos Estevez.
On the year, Lopez has a 4.29 ERA, but he's been much better as of late, having not allowed an earned run since June 26, ironically, against the Angels.
As for Giolito, he's had an up and down year, but the former All-Star has also been better of late, holding a 3.79 ERA in 121 innings.
Giolito will slot in as the No. 2 starter behind Ohtani, forming a dominant 1-2 punch, and a pretty scary postseason rotation with Patrick Sandoval if the Angels can get there.
Also, Giolito was born and raised in Los Angeles, so he gets to come home and play for his hometown club. He's a free agent at the end of this season, but maybe playing in Southern California again will convince him to sign long term in the offseason.
As of now, the Halos are four games out of the final Wild Card spot, but they're clearly making a push, and Giolito and Lopez will help greatly.
What a move for general manager Perry Minasian and co. The Angels are for real.
