Fansided

5 starting pitchers the Los Angeles Angels should target on trade market

By Brad Berreman

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 29: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on July 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 29: Starting pitcher Jon Gray #55 of the Colorado Rockies throws in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Coors Field on July 29, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Mandatory Credit: G Fiume/Getty Images
Mandatory Credit: G Fiume/Getty Images /

3. Mike Clevinger, Cleveland Indians

The Indians seem ready to trade notable players and relinquish a top spot in the AL Central, so Clevinger has naturally surfaced in rumors.

He was limited to five starts before the All-Star break last year due mostly to back injury, but he pitched very well in the second half (11-2, 2.30 ERA, 11.4 K/9 over 16 starts) as the Indians had a resurgence and briefly took first place in the division from the Twins.

Clevinger will not hit free agency until after the 2022 season, so that level of team control and how well he has pitched over the last few seasons (2.96 ERA, 12.6 bWAR) naturally up his trade value. The Angels simply can’t realistically compete in terms of prospects or trade assets with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres, the two other teams who have been named with rumored interest in Clevinger.

With the Indians unlikely to budge off their reported ask for Adell in a deal, Clevinger landing with the Angels (if he’s traded at all this offseason) is pretty unlikely. But if the door is still open for talks between the two sides, there’s still a percentage chance a workable deal is done and the Angels should still have interest.

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