Los Angeles Angels biggest trade target should be Michael Fulmer
By Jason Reed
The Los Angeles Angels made a trade with the Detroit Tigers for Justin Upton last season. This season, the Angels should approach the Tigers for starting pitching.
The Los Angeles Angels may be falling out of the AL playoff picture but are still one of the most talented teams in the league.
Not only are the Angels led by the best player in baseball, Mike Trout, the team has gotten nice contributions from the likes of Justin Upton and Andrelton Simmons. Overall, the offense has been pretty solid for the Angels this season.
However, the starting pitching has been exposed for the lack of depth due to the injury bug that seemingly strikes the Angels every season. While the first six guys in the Angels’ rotation were all solid, the team really had no options in the minors to lean on when the injury bug hit.
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Because of that, the Angels are fielding a quirky starting rotation that is pitching like a triple-A ball club. It is not the Angels’ fault for unlucky injuries, however, the front office is just now starting to build a reputable farm system; all of which being in the lower levels.
Thus, the Angels should be looking to add a starting pitcher as the trade deadline approaches. Instead of adding an expiring contract, like most contenders do, the Angels would be better suited to add someone with team control.
Because of that, Michael Fulmer emerges as the best trade target the Angels can consider. Since the Detroit Tigers are in no position to contend in the next three or four years, trading Fulmer is a reality, especially while his trade value is still high.
The 2016 Rookie of the Year has not been great this season but has the foundation for success and will likely turn it around on a new, winning, ball club. Fulmer has a 4.11 ERA in 18 starts this season with 91 strikeouts in 107 and 1/3 innings.
Fulmer did a 3.06 ERA in his rookie year and is definitely talented enough to reach that mark once again. Plus, at only 25 years old, Fulmer is only going to get better as time goes on.
What makes Fulmer so intriguing even with a 4.11 ERA is the fact that he would be under team control for four more seasons after 2018. This gives the Angels stability in a rotation that has otherwise been hectic.
Since his numbers have taken a dip, the Angels can afford to send one fairly decent prospect alongside other, lesser ranked, guys.
The Los Angeles Angels can trade shortstop prospect Kevin Maitan, who the team acquired after the Braves had to forfeit him due to international signing violations. According to MLB Pipeline, Maitan is the Angels’ second-best prospect and the 75th-best overall in baseball.
The Tigers could then have their pick of two other prospects, which all boils down to who the team likes. Perhaps the Tigers ask for the Angels’ ninth and tenth best prospects, Jesus Castillo and Jose Suarez, respectively.
Castillo is a right-handed pitcher with a relatively high floor (at least a solid big league reliever) and Suarez is a southpaw with a fairly large ceiling.
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The Detroit Tigers get a prospect to build in the system and be the future shortstop and the Los Angeles Angels get a starter that will help the playoff push for years to come.