MLB Trade Deadline Recap: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Now that the non-waiver deadline has passed, we’re taking a look back at what each team was able to accomplish before 4 p.m. ET on July 31. Next up in our recap series, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (55-57), 16.5 GB in AL West, 3 GB in AL Wild Card

ACQUIRED: RHP Luis Madero (from ARZ)

TRADED: RHP David Hernandez (to ARZ)

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The Angels sat on the buy/sell fence until the bitter end, spending weeks before the deadline assessing a variety of scenarios that would see them either add pieces or shed veterans before July 31. When the clock struck 4 p.m., all the club had accomplished was one move: trading reliever David Hernandez to the Diamondbacks for righty Luis Madero.

Los Angeles shopped Hernandez, Bud Norris and Yusmeiro Petit on deadline day, hoping to capitalize on the surprising value of three scrap-heap pick-ups who had performed well for the club all season. Hernandez, who spent time in both the Giants and Braves organizations this year, was acquired for cash considerations in a minor deal with Atlanta early in the season, so the fact the club was able to turn him into any young player is impressive for a club with a shallow farm system.

Madero doesn’t rank within the top 30 prospects the Angels have at present, largely because he’s struggled to a 5.83 ERA in 10 starts so far this season. At 20, he’s a lottery ticket for an Angels club that could use a few on their minor-league rosters.

The Angels are in the tough spot of having a large payroll, a mediocre team and a below-average farm system. This makes it really tough for general manager Billy Eppler to make impact moves in any acquisition period, so the club’s relative inactivity in July isn’t a surprise.

For a complete list of our trade deadline recaps, click here.