The Los Angeles Angels are perhaps one of the most stuck in neutral clubs in Major League Baseball. Currently boasting the second worst record in all of baseball and the clock ticking down on Mike Trout’s career, there is little for the Angels to push for in 2026. It would be far from the most surprising thing if they decided to tear down the team to the studs and start fresh. 

If they were to decide to do so, let’s get the most obvious candidate out of the way. Mike Trout will not be traded – he has 10-5 rights so he can veto any trade, and if he has not demanded a trade to this point he’s likely fine to ride out the contract and retire a lifelong Angel. 

Now for the real trade candidates and some of their potential backfill prospects.

Moving Out?

Nolan Schanuel falls into the category of good, not great player that many teams would covet at the trading deadline. Although he’s a first baseman only, he is still very young at just twenty-four years old and fits into the James Loney mold of the past – contact hitter with minimal power. A little milquetoast of a deadline acquisition but someone would definitely see his profile and assume they could extract some more extra base power out of him with a few tweaks.

My favorite player to be moved from the Angels at this deadline is Zach Neto. I personally believe that he has the star upside that he has flashed in the past, and he could absolutely be an impact addition at the deadline for any competitive team. His floor is already so high that even if he can only provide a league average offensive output he can still give three or more WAR for the season. 

A few that warrant mention that could be moved in addition are second baseman Oswald Peraza, outfielder Jo Adell, designated hitter Jorge Soler, and starting pitcher José Soriano. Each of these pieces have something to bring to buyers, but at varying levels of impact.

If any of these pieces are moved, there are four prospects that are likely to make the call up to the big leagues – and one that I am keeping my eye on to see if he pops.

Moving Up?

First is Tyler Bremner, a twenty-two-year-old starting pitcher at High-A Tri-City Dust Devil, as he is absolutely mowing down hitters at the level. He has a 1.61 ERA and 32 strikeouts in just 22.1 innings. His 1.16 WHIP is slightly elevated off of what you would expect with a 1.61 ERA and such dominance, however all in all that is a small complaint. As the second pick overall from just last year, he could make a meteoric rise through the minors just as we’ve seen the likes of Payton Tolle do in Boston. 

Another name to add and watch would be Nelson Rada. Only twenty years old and already playing with the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees, he has a short hop to the next level. His profile does, however, give pause to fantasy league owners. He has shown minimal ability to impact the baseball, but does have a decent showing for speed categories. Given such, he appears to be a more real-life prospect than a fantasy one – but that does not mean he won’t get the call-up hype ownership boost. It would behoove owners to consider him an add and flip candidate. 

Raudi Rodriguez, outfielder for the Double-A Rocket City Trash Pandas has been also showing extra base power with an .873 OPS, seven home runs and nineteen stolen bases. Likely to be considered for a call to Salt Lake relatively soon, with a trade specifically of Jo Adell I would not be surprised to see him getting the call. 

Perhaps my favorite player on this list is Denzer Guzman. Currently only twenty-two years old at Salt Lake already, as well as already being on the 40-man roster, he is likely to be rostered in most dynasty leagues already. If he is not, add him now. Although he had a rough debut last year, he was only twenty-one years old, and currently has a gaudy .336/.403/.571 triple slash line, just shy of a 1.000 OPS. He is considered by me to be a certified dude and Zach Neto’s inevitable replacement when he’s dealt.

(Note: Between scheduling to post and the posting of this article, Denzer Guzman was called up by the Angels)

Now, get ready to jot this name down and add him to all watchlists. Jake Munroe, an unheralded fourth-round pick, is a twenty-two-year-old third baseman currently playing for the Tri-City Dust Devils. He is incredibly unlikely to break the big leagues this season, but he will gain helium if he continues to hit as he is. To this point, he has a .921 OPS with ten home runs, and a nearly even 30:31 walk to strike out ratio.

Will all of these prospects pan out? No, but at least the Angels farm system has some promise and excitement at the upper minor league levels.