Los Angeles Angels rumors: Eduardo Escobar trade start of things to come?

DENVER — The Los Angeles Angels made a move to strength their infield by acquiring Eduardo Escobar from the New York Mets on Friday. It could be the start of a push to build the Angels into playoff contenders.

While there have been plenty of rumors swirling about the future of Shohei Ohtani with the Angels, Los Angeles started Saturday just a half-game out of the American League Wild Card with a 41-36 record.

It’s clear that the Angels do have a seller’s mindset at the moment. In fact, it may be just the opposite.

Los Angeles Angels rumors: Angels could be buyers at deadline

With Escobar acquired mid-game from the Mets on Friday and in the lineup at third base on Saturday and veteran David Fletcher called up from Triple-A to play shortstop, it’s clear the Angels are doing what they can to overcome injuries to Gio Urshela, Anthony Rendon and Zach Neto, whether it’s through internal or external means.

Angels manager Phil Nevin tipped his cap to the front office for the Escobar trade in his pregame media session on Saturday at Coors Field. He also indicated the franchise views itself as a team very much in contention for meaningful baseball in October.

“I’ve been around teams that are where we’re at in the standings at this time of year, and it’s a jolt to the room when you know your general manager and the front office is working their tail off to make us better,” Nevin said. “Knowing that we’re still pushing and striving to do that, we’re not somebody that is getting rid of players, and it’s already happening, you get this sense like, ‘Alright, we’re in this and let’s go.’

“If there’s more moves to be made, I don’t know. But obviously we made one today that makes us better in our opinion, and I think the whole room feels that way.”

Nevin said the Escobar move is tipping the hand toward the front office’s feeling about this Angels team as the days tick away toward July.

“Like I said, it’s a jolt to the room and it gives everybody that sense of like, ‘Hey, we’re a playoff team,'” Nevin said.