Reports emerged on earlier on Wednesday night that Los Angeles Angels are taking two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani — set to be a free agent after the season ends — off the trade market. If that news wasn’t already confirmation that the Angels are “going for it” this season, a move they made hours later really cemented it.
The Angels have acquired starting pitcher Lucas Giolito and relief pitcher Reynaldo López in exchange for minor-league pitcher Ky Bush and catcher Edgar Quero.
OFFICIAL: The Angels have acquired RHP Lucas Giolito and RHP Reynaldo López from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league LHP Ky Bush and C Edgar Quero. pic.twitter.com/Q6pdZ9MKve
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) July 27, 2023
The headliner of this trade is definitely Giolito.
Giolito, 29, has a 3.79 ERA over 121 innings pitched (21 starts) this season. He’s been one of the top right-handers in the American League over the last several years — an AL All-Star in 2019 — and adds a big boost to the Angels’ starting rotation. Like Ohtani, he’ll be a free agent after the season ends.
Lucas Giolito's 3Ks in the 3rd.
6Ks thru 3. pic.twitter.com/zMonPiRALq
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 23, 2023
López is a former starting pitcher who’s seen a huge velocity increase out of the bullpen. This season, he has a mediocre 4.29 ERA, but he’s striking out a career-best 29.2 percent of hitters while averaging 98.5 mph on his fastball.
In return, the White Sox — one of MLB’s most disappointing teams this season at 41-62 — get two intriguing prospects. Quero was slotted in as the Angels’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, while Bush — a left-handed pitcher — slotted in at No. 3.
Additionally, MLB Network’s’ Jon Morosi reports that the Angels “have discussed a Jeimer Candelario trade with Nats.”
Source: Angels have discussed a Jeimer Candelario trade with Nats, in addition to their recently completed deal with the White Sox. @MLBNetwork @MLB
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 27, 2023
Candelario — also a free agent after the season ends — has .256/.336/.438 slash line this season while playing a strong third base with the Washington Nationals.
So, the Angels are officially buyers, and it seems they’re not done yet.
Here’s how MLB fans have reacted to the news:
Lucas Giolito has been traded twice now
BOTH times with Reynaldo López
BASE
BALL pic.twitter.com/rc5hrGqff4— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) July 27, 2023
I will never forget Lucas Giolito’s no-hitter in 2020.
A night that made so many people feel together for a little while in such an awful year of being separated from life.
— Jason Benetti (@jasonbenetti) July 27, 2023
Reynaldo Lopez would’ve been a target of mine, probably best Stuff+ that’ll be moved at deadline. Lucas Giolito hasn’t quite got his old fastball back but he’s obviously going to help that rotation. Quero is a good get for the White Sox, his K & BB rates are great for a catcher.
— Eno Sarris (@enosarris) July 27, 2023
Confirmed that these trades will push the #Angels over the luxury tax.
— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) July 27, 2023
Doesn’t seem to be super popular with some, but I think this seems to be a really solid return for CHW for what is essentially a rental player in Giolito. Quero has struggled at AA but is only 20, and pushed aggressive. Ky Bush could be a rotation guy next year too (good slider). https://t.co/0XlOzILFsd
— The Welsh (@IsItTheWelsh) July 27, 2023
Lucas Giolito has been a great dude and a really solid pitcher for the #WhiteSox during his career. Good luck to him out west. This is a good return though.
— James Fox (@JamesFox917) July 27, 2023
Lucas Giolito is the headliner, but getting Reynaldo López is a huge deal.
The #Angels desperately needed bullpen help, and López has the potential to be an impact leverage guy.
He was absolutely dominant out of the bullpen last season: 2.76 ERA, 1.93 FIP, & 2 fWAR in 65.1 IP
— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) July 27, 2023
The Angels are 52-49, four games back in the AL Wild Card race and seven games back in the AL West. They’re trying to make the postseason for the first time since 2014.
About Matt Clapp
Matt is an editor/writer at The Comeback and Awful Announcing.
He can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.