Getty Image / Vaughn Ridley
The Los Angeles Angels were supposed to be sellers at the trade deadline. After all, with all-time great Shohei Ohtani’s contract expiring at the end of the season, it wouldn’t make much sense to let him walk for nothing when they could get a big haul of prospects.
But, the team has decided to not sell Shohei Ohtani, and instead they’re going all in. After all, at 55-51, they’re only five games back in the AL West and just four out of a wild card spot in the American League.
A big trade on Sunday proved just how committed they are to trying to win big this year, as they acquired first baseman CJ Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk from the Colorado Rockies.
The Los Angeles Angels are finalizing a deal to acquire outfielder Randal Grichuk and first baseman C.J. Cron from the Colorado Rockies, sources tell ESPN. Two minor league pitchers headed back to Colorado: RHP Jake Madden and LHP Mason Albright. First with news was @Feinsand.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2023
That’s quite the big move, as they were two of the better bats on the market. Cron has struggled a bit this year compared to the past few years, with a .259/300/.473 slash and an OPS+ of 96. the 33-year-old been over 100 in OPS+ every year since 2017 coming into this year.
Meanwhile, Randal Grichuk has been having arguably the best year of his career, slashing, .312/.367/.512 with an OPS+ of 123. With key injuries to Angels hitters like Mike Trout, Brandon Drury, Gio Urshela and Jo Adell, this was a move they had to make if they wanted to compete.
Of course, a big key is when Mike Trout returns. He has begun throwing, but is not yet swinging a bat after he broke his a bone in his hand in early July. They still likely need to add pitching, as well.