Los Angeles Angels Lose Trade Deadline Acquisitions: Giolito and Lopez Claimed by Cleveland Guardians

The Los Angeles Angels have experienced a significant blow as two of their players, who were trade deadline acquisitions, have officially been lost after being placed on waivers. Right-handed pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, who were part of the Angels’ plans for a late-season playoff push, have been claimed on waivers by the Cleveland Guardians. This development marks a turning point in the Angels’ strategy for the remainder of the baseball season.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports that the Cleveland Guardians successfully claimed Giolito and Lopez on waivers. The Angels had made a surprising move by placing six players on waivers, including four who were acquired just before the trade deadline. The news comes following the 10 a.m. PT deadline for players to be claimed, shedding light on the outcomes of these waiver placements.

The Angels had acquired Giolito and Lopez in a trade package, giving up their No. 2 and No. 3 prospects with the intention of bolstering their pitching lineup. The team had high hopes that these two pitchers would contribute to their quest for postseason contention during the final months of the season. However, the reality turned out to be quite different.

Giolito’s performance with the Angels fell significantly short of expectations. Over six starts, he struggled with a high Earned Run Average (ERA) of 6.89 and only managed to secure one win against five losses. His pitching did not reflect the ace-level capabilities that the Angels had anticipated. Consequently, the decision to place him on waivers and subsequently losing him to the Cleveland Guardians is a noteworthy shift in the dynamics of both teams.

Similarly, Lopez, another player the Angels had pinned their hopes on, faced challenges during his tenure with the team. His performance did not align with the Angels’ aspirations for a strong finish to the season. The outcome of his waiver placement reflects the changing landscape of the team’s pitching strategy.

As a result of these waiver claims, Giolito and Lopez will now join the Cleveland Guardians, aiming to contribute to the Guardians’ late-season push in the American League Central division. The Angels, on the other hand, are left to regroup and rethink their strategies for the upcoming games, as they navigate the complexities of a baseball season marked by uncertainty and unexpected turns.