Angels News: Halos Climb Power Rankings as Hot Streak Continues
It's been a great few weeks for the Los Angeles Angels.
Once a foregone conclusion to be sellers when the MLB trade deadline rolled around, the Halos went on a winning run to start the second half of their season that turned both the complexion and their mindset toward this season around.
General manager Perry Minasian rewarded the Angels' winning ways by making a consequential move last week, acquiring starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and reliever Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox.
As for the run that made that move possible, the Halos won 11 out of their past 17 games to start the second half of their season, vaulting up to within just three games of a wild card spot.
The team went 5-2 this past week, and the Angels were rewarded with a bump up in The Athletic's MLB Power Rankings, jumping up from No. 18 to 16 in their latest release.
As for what Grant Brisbee had to say about the Halos, he gave the Angels front office a "virtual standing ovation" of sorts with his words.
"Angels GM Minasian (or maybe owner Arte Moreno, or both) has decided that the irreplaceable legend in the hand is worth more than the potential major leaguers in the bush leagues. They’re taking guff for it. They shouldn’t. Go Angels. Do something that resembles anything, for the good of the sport."
There was plenty of debate as to whether the Angels should sell or buy at the deadline through their run, and the criticism has only intensified from some after the Giolito trade.
But gigantic long term risk or not, it's good that the team decided to go for success in the present -- and make a move to try to solidify that -- rather than start from scratch and hope to reap any spoils in the future.
The Angels have started off this new era well, and they'll try to continue that over the coming months.
