Los Angeles Angels’ Disastrous August Trades: Playoff Hopes Dashed
Angels' August Trades and Playoff Hopes: What Went Wrong?
In August, the Los Angeles Angels were brimming with hope, believing they were on the cusp of a postseason breakthrough. As they closed in on the final wild-card spot, they pulled the trigger on some aggressive deadline trades. Their mission was clear: bolster the team for a playoff push. One notable acquisition was starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, whom they saw as the key to elevating their pitching rotation. However, fate had other plans, and the Angels soon found themselves in a downward spiral, sliding further down the standings. The dream of making the playoffs faded away, leaving a trail of unresolved issues in its wake.
Now, in an unexpected turn of events, Giolito and the other trade deadline acquisitions have been placed on waivers. This past weekend, Giolito returned to Anaheim with the Cleveland Guardians in town. On Saturday, he is slated to face his former team, and he didn’t shy away from discussing the rollercoaster ride he experienced.
Giolito’s performance during his tenure with the Angels was far from stellar, sporting an alarmingly high ERA of 6.89 across six starts. On the mound, he appeared far from comfortable, and this discomfort translated into his on-field performance.
In stark contrast, during his time with the Chicago White Sox, Giolito boasted a much more respectable ERA of 3.79 in 21 starts. Unfortunately, the Angels never witnessed that version of Giolito, and this discrepancy significantly contributed to their playoff hopes falling apart. However, it wasn’t solely Giolito’s struggles that plagued the team.
The Angels’ ambitious gamble at the trade deadline did not pay off. In addition to their struggles on the mound, both star outfielder Mike Trout and two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani found themselves sidelined with injuries. The Angels’ prospects were dim, and their outlook was far from promising.
“I don’t think I’ll be expecting any tribute video,” the 29-year-old righty said with a laugh. “Considering I was there for a month and didn’t pitch great. It’s all just part of it.”
As they approach the offseason, the Angels are confronted with an array of questions, while answers seem elusive. For the first time, there is speculation that Trout might seek an exit from the organization. Furthermore, Ohtani’s future as a free agent hangs in the balance. The upcoming winter promises to be a compelling one in the world of baseball, and the Angels must navigate some challenging decisions ahead.
