Angels Rumors: Writer Links Halos to AL Starting Pitcher as Trade Deadline Target

Could he make a difference for LA?

As we get closer to the trade deadline, it’s starting to look like the Angels may be buyers. For all the talk about them trading away Shohei Ohtani, the recent winning ways of the team have them thinking about the playoffs.

Their chances still aren’t great, but a good few weeks of baseball could change that. Assuming the Angels do indeed become buyers, they have a need in their starting rotation. Outside of Ohtani and second-year pitcher Reid Detmers, the Angels rotation is questionable at best.

MLB.com writer Mark Feinsand linked the Halos with one of the bigger names that should be available at the deadline. He has the Angels looking at Lance Lynn from the Chicago White Sox.

“Lynn hasn't been effective in his past two starts, but he's a veteran innings-eater who can help a contender with a need in the back end of the rotation. The 36-year-old is due roughly $6 million for the remainder of the season (plus a $1 million buyout of his $18 million club option for 2024), so the White Sox might have to pay down the contract to get a decent return.”

Per MLB.com

Getting Lynn could come at a cheaper price than expected due to some of his struggles this season. He holds an ERA of 6.18 for the year, but some of his other metrics are still good.

His strikeout rate is up, with Lynn striking out about 28 percent of batters that he has faced this season. He also has been very effective against right-handed hitters this year. The Angels could look to Lynn as a low-cost option to help stabilize their rotation. 

But in all honesty, they could do much better.

The team has seen Lynn a few times this season, and they roughed him up both times. They put eight runs on him in May and five at the end of June. They've seen him up close and personal, so they may want to avoid him.

If the Angels are buying at the deadline, they need someone who will make an impact. They owe it to themselves and their fans to be aggressive if they want to make a push toward the postseason.