(Photo by Lisa Blumenfeld/Getty Images)
Late on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels made a key trade just hours after Tom Verducci revealed that Shohei Ohtani was off the trading block.
The Halos made a deal with the Chicago White Sox, acquiring right-hander Lucas Giolito and reliever Reynaldo Lopez.
In exchange, Los Angeles sent catching prospect Edgar Quero and left-hander Ky Bush back to the White Sox.
This marks the first major blockbuster trade and should get the market moving in the coming days, as more players will soon be dealt.
On Twitter, Jeff Passan of ESPN revealed the news of the recent trade between the Angels and the South Siders.
BREAKING: The Los Angeles Angels are finalizing a deal to acquire right-hander Lucas Giolito and right-handed reliever Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox for catcher Edgar Quero and left-hander Ky Bush, two top prospects, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2023
Aside from two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the Angels didn’t truly have a starter with ace potential.
While Giolito is likely a rental, he still gives them a solid top-of-the-rotation starter to go along with Ohtani, which makes them a threat in the Wild Card race.
Giolito and Ohtani back-to-back in a postseason series would be a tough challenge for any team to face.
The Halos entered Thursday’s slate of games just four games back of the Toronto Blue Jays for the third and final Wild Card spot in the American League.
It’s clear now that the Angels are indeed buyers at this year’s trade deadline and are looking to make the most out of what very well could be Ohtani’s last season with the team.
The rotation is now looking like a major strength for the Angels as we approach the stretch run of the 2023 season.
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