Los Angeles Angels Trade Speculation: 3 Moves to Catch Texas

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are having quite a second half of the season, if you mark the second half of the season after the All-Star break. With a record of 5-6 thus far in the second half, the Angels are not going to be able to take the division like I predicted they would a few weeks ago.

The Angels took two of three against the division-leading Texas Rangers, who have been on a tear as of late, but the Angels just cannot seem to catch them. 

The Angels are going to have to make a couple of moves in order to make a push for the AL West crown come September. 

Here are three moves the Angels must make in order to catch the Rangers on the pace they are currently sporting. 

Trade Bobby Abreu

The Angels are going to have to make a serious move in order to get a quality bat for the late season push. 

I know that the Angels have not been rumored to go after Hunter Pence, but they should definitely consider the move. Pence brings a tad more youth to a ballclub who needs a new surge to match that of the Texas Rangers. 

Pence has been hitting the ball very nicely with a .308 average and 11 bombs on the year. Abreu is a quality player, but the Angels need a spark, and I think Hunter Pence may be the bat that gets them going. 

Acquire Heath Bell

Heath Bell may be the arm the Angels need to get that extra win every now and again. The Angels pitching staff ruined what was a productive and beautifully pitched game by Dan Haren, only to give up the lead and lose to the tribe.

Heath Bell has had an outstanding year for the Padres, and he definitely looks like he will be dealt before the deadline. His 28 saves with 30 strikeouts in just over 40 innings is an impressive stat.

Now I know the Angels are not in desperate need of a closer, but if they could acquire Bell they would have the relieving duties taken care of with Jordan Walden waiting in the ninth inning. 

Give the Padres some prospects and get the productive right-hander the Angels could really use. 

Start Mike Trout the Rest of the Season

If you ask me, it took too long for the Angels to go to their top MLB-ready prospect, Mike Trout, but I am glad he is in the bigs now. He is fun to watch, and he brings a spark to the ballpark every game he has played in. 

Trout has the defensive skills as well as the pop in the bat that I am sorry to say Peter Bourjos just does not have. I am a big fan of Bourjos, but he has been too inconsistent and unable to deliver in the clutch.

Trout is the real deal, and he is only going to get better with every game that he plays in. I am not saying he will be the difference maker come late August, mid-September, but he will definitely bring more to the table than anyone else at his position on the Angels roster.