As the Los Angeles Angels struggle through another disappointing season, general manager Perry Minasian should explore what he can get back in a Taylor Ward trade. The Angels are in fourth place in the AL West and nine games back for an AL Wild Card spot. Coupled with their long list of injuries, they will not be competitive in 2024. In light of this, the Angels should be sellers during the trade deadline. What does that mean? Everyone must go. The Angels should check on Tyler Anderson trade options. They should check on Luis Rengifo, Carlos Estevez, Griffin Canning, and anyone else who isn’t on a rookie contract and has a shred of trade value. Taylor Ward would bring back quality prospects because the 30-year-old outfielder is slashing .246/.328/.443/.771. Plus, Ward is only entering arbitration after this year, so whoever acquires him will have him through the 2026 season.
A Taylor Ward Trade Must Happen For The Angels
Taylor Ward Trade Partners
There are 22 teams within four games of a playoff spot. With this in mind, there is plenty of opportunity to sell an above-average left fielder who is team-controlled through 2026. The Kansas City Royals have gotten zero production from the left field spot. The same goes for the Minnesota Twins. Heavyweight contenders like the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros could also use a boost to their outfield offense. There’s been talk about the Philadelphia Phillies looking for outfield help. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers are also possibilities if they decide their young outfield talent isn’t ready this season. No matter who pulls the trigger, one thing is clear: Taylor Ward is drawing trade interest.
MLB Pipeline preseason farm system rankings:
Kansas City: 28th
Minnesota: 15th
Atlanta: 26th
Houston: 27th
Philadelphia: 22nd
Kansas City Gets Ward And Strickland
The Kansas City Royals can use a Taylor Ward trade more than any other contender. The Royals are eight games back of the Guardians in the AL Central, but they hold a 1 1/2 game lead over the Boston Red Sox for the final Wild Card spot. MJ Melendez has struggled mightily through the 2024 season, posting a pedestrian .610 OPS. In short, he has a 69 OPS+, dragging down a decent offense. Hunter Renfroe isn’t much better in right field, as he currently sits at a .682 OPS (89 OPS+). The Angels could also throw in a reliever not named Carlos Estevez because Kansas City needs bullpen help, too.
Kansas City Royals receive: LF Taylor Ward and RHP Hunter Strickland.
Los Angeles Angels receive: RHP Ben Kudrna (#3 KC prospect), C Carter Jensen (#10 KC), LHP Hunter Owen (#21 KC), RHP Emmanuel Reyes (Unranked)
Atlanta Trades For Taylor Ward
Regarding playoff contenders, only the Kansas City Royals have less outfield production than the Atlanta Braves. Due to Ronald Acuna Jr.‘s season-ending injury and a lack of output from Adam Duvall and the currently injured Michael Harris II, the Braves outfield has struggled. Former top-prospect Jarred Kelenic has been incredible in June, slashing .306/.355/.529/.884 at the plate. Conversely, the trio of Ramon Laureano, Forrest Wall, and Luke Williams has added nothing on offense. The Braves are seven games back in the NL East, yet they have a solid 5 1/2 game cushion over the New York Mets for a Wild Card spot.
Atlanta Braves receive: LF Taylor Ward
Los Angeles Angels receive: RHP JR Ritchie (#4 ATL), C Drake Baldwin (#11 ATL), OF Ethan Workinger (Unranked)
Houston Trades For A Sure Thing
A Houston Astros trade for Taylor Ward would help shore up the team’s outfield while Kyle Tucker is injured. Even if Yordan Alvarez occasionally plays left field, it’s not something the team prefers, given his lack of defensive acumen. Alvarez is there to hit, so he’s better as a designated hitter. Although the Astros could look to their prospects for outfield help, Ward is more of a sure thing. Astros top prospect Jacob Melton currently has a .781 OPS in Double-A. Their #5 prospect, Joey Loperfido, currently with the Astros, doesn’t project well defensively in the outfield. The Astros struggled to a 12-24 record to start the season. Having bounced back to a .500 record at 41-41, every game counts as they try to chase down Seattle. Currently, they are 4 1/2 games behind the division-leading Mariners. They are also 3 1/2 games back of the final Wild Card spot.
Houston Astros receive: LF Taylor Ward
Los Angeles Angels receive: SS Brice Matthews (#3 HOU), RHP A.J. Blubaugh (#7 HOU), RHP Andrew Taylor (#16 HOU)
Minnesota Gets Ward And Moore
The Minnesota Twins are one spot ahead of the Royals in the AL Central. A Taylor Ward trade would be huge for the Twins due to their underachieving outfield production. Alex Kirilloff has a .653 OPS as he recovers from a back injury that landed him on the Injured List. Unsurprisingly, injuries have been a huge problem for the Twins outfield as every starter has spent time on the IL this season. Minnesota sits just one game ahead of the Royals for the second Wild Card spot, with the Red Sox 2 1/2 games behind. Steve Okert has pitched decently as the best bullpen LHP, but the Angels could add Matt Moore to sweeten the deal. The Angels would likely need to pay down some of his salary to improve their return. If they do, Top-100 prospect Gabriel Gonzalez should be in play.
Minnesota Twins receive: LF Taylor Ward, LHP Matt Moore
Los Angeles Angels receive: OF Gabriel Gonzalez (#81 MLB prospect; #4 MIN), RHP Andrew Morris (#17 MIN), INF Rayne Doncon (#28 MIN)
Philadelphia Trades For Outfield
The Philadelphia Phillies are in the amazing position of not having any major holes as the trade deadline approaches. Nonetheless, there is talk that they are looking to add to their outfield. Brandon Marsh has been solid in left field but the team could look to move him to center field where Johan Rojas has struggled. If they do, Taylor Ward would be the perfect acquisition to lock down left field. For a team that would consider this season a failure with anything short of a World Series title, a trade like this could put them over the top.
Philadelphia Phillies receive: LF Taylor Ward
Los Angeles Angels receive: OF Justin Crawford (#60 MLB, #4 PHI prospect), C Caleb Ricketts (#20 PHI)
Main Photo Credits: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
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