Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 30
Next
May 27, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Bud Norris (20) throws against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
May 27, 2017; Miami, FL, USA; Los Angeles Angels relief pitcher Bud Norris (20) throws against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Los Angeles Angels: Bud Norris

After the injury to Mike Trout, any hope the Angels had of hanging around in the playoff race went quickly swirling down the drain. Even with Trout turning in one of the best seasons in MLB history, the Angels were barely a .500 team. Their batters on the year have registered 3.8 WAR, with 3.4 coming from Trout.

Surprisingly, the Angels have had a very good bullpen this season, led by newly-minted closer Bud Norris. After a strong season in 2014, where he may have been the best starter on an Orioles team that won the AL East, Norris struggled to hang on an MLB roster for the better part of two seasons.

Norris seems to have found a home and a role suited for him in the bullpen. He is striking out nearly 12 per nine and is dominating with his slider and cutter. Opposing batters are barely batting above .100 against his slider. The Orioles have to be kicking themselves for shunning the cutter so much during Norris’s time with them.

The Angels have Norris on a one-year lottery ticket, and they have definitely hit the jackpot. From nearly flaming out of the league in 2016 to piling up strikeouts in 2017, Norris has made himself a valuable trade commodity.

Home/MLB