Los Angeles Angels Trade Rumors: Tracking Hot Updates, News and Reaction

A tumultuous first half of the regular season that saw two high-profile exits from Los Angeles in the form of outfielder Josh Hamilton and general manager Jerry DiPoto ended with the Angels sitting atop the American League West, where most pundits believed they'd be all along.

Former general manager Bill Stoneman will be the man calling the shots for the club the rest of the way, but he's going to lean heavily on assistant general manager Matt Klentak, as he's been out of the loop for years, most recently serving as a consultant for the club.

That said, he has a pretty sensible, straightforward approach to making moves at the deadline, as he explained to the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher:

"

It doesn’t matter if it’s July or January, if it helps you, you do it. If it’s not going to help you, you don’t do it just because people are hoping you do something. If you do something because people are expecting you to do something, and it doesn’t help you, why would you do it?

"

He's going to have to get the Angels some help if they're to hold off the Houston Astros in what is shaping up to be a contentious race for division supremacy. At the top of his shopping list should be a corner outfielder, preferably one that bats from the left side of the plate.

Whatever the Angels decide to do, keep it here for the most up-to-the-minute rumblings about the Halos, along with analysis and everything else that comes with it. While the post date on this tracker will always show up as July 15, simply click to the next slide to see the latest from the rumor mill.

Done Deals

Steven Senne/Associated Press

July 24: Acquired IF Conor Gillaspie from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations

July 27: Acquired OF Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for IF Josh Rutledge

July 28: Acquired OF David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for SS Eric Stamets

July 28: Acquired OF David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for RHP Eduar Lopez

July 28: Acquired LF David Murphy

Mark Duncan/Associated Press

So long as the Angels limit David Murphy's exposure to left-handed pitchers, the 33-year-old outfielder will prove to be a good addition.

Murphy is enjoying his best season at the playe in years, hitting .299 with a .790 OPS over 82 games. The bulk of his success has come against right-handed pitching, against which he's hitting .297 with 16 extra-base hits (five home runs) and a .797 OPS.

While he still grades out as a slightly above-average defender in left field for his career, it's been about two years since he's had a good season with the glove.

Due the balance of his $6 million salary this year and with a $7 million team option ($500,000 buyout) for 2016, Murphy's stay could be short or something a bit more long-term.

Could Chase Utley Wind Up an Angel?

Chris Szagola/Associated Press

Friday, July 24 at 11:15 a.m. ET

While he hasn't played in over a month due to inflammation in his right ankle and wasn't very good when he was on the field (a .179 BA and .532 OPS over 65 games), the Angels are "monitoring" things with Philadelphia's Chase Utley, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez.

The six-time All-Star will likely become a free agent at the end of the season, as he probably can't rack up the 500 plate appearances he needs for his $15 million option next year to vest (he's at 249 PA currently). But he also has full no-trade protection and has never given any indication that he'd be willing to waive it.

If he were amenable to joining the Angels, perhaps a change of scenery and a return to the playoff race would revitalize him at the plate, especially as he wouldn't be expected to carry the load as he has been in Philadelphia.

Angels Would Consider Renting a Bat

Tony Dejak/Associated Press

Wednesday, July 22 at 9:338 p.m. ET

While the team's preference remains adding a left-handed bat that's under control past the end of this season, both MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez and The Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher report that the team is "warming up" to the idea of adding a rental bat from wither side of the plate if it'd be less costly.

That opens the door to the possibility of trading for someone like Detroit's Yoenis Cespedes (pictured), Milwaukee's Gerardo Parra or San Diego's Justin Upton, among others.

As for what the Angels might potentially give up in a deal, Fletcher points to minor league hurlers Chris Ellis and Nate Smith as possibilities, though he says top pitching prospect Sean Newcomb is all but untouchable.

Angels Would Like to Flip C.J. Wilson for a Controllable Bat

Stephen Brashear/Associated Press

Tuesday, July 21 at 10:45 a.m. ET

The Angels want to add a bat that they can control past the end of this season and are willing to trade veteran starter C.J. Wilson to acquire it, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez.

But that's far easier said than done.

Wilson, 34, has put together a solid season for the Halos, pitching to a 3.59 ERA (3.76 FIP) and 1.20 WHIP, striking out 102 batters over 123 innings of work. But he's due the balance of his $18 million salary this year and $20 million in 2016, making him an expensive addition for any potential trade partner.

It's hard to imagine that there's a team out there willing to take on Wilson's deal in a market that is flush with better short-term options, whether it be Johnny Cueto, Scott Kazmir or David Price.

Could Justin Upton Become an Angel?

Jeff Roberson/Associated Press

Update: Tuesday, July 21 at 10:35 p.m. ET

San Diego's asking price for a two-month rental is too high for the Angels liking, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez, making it highly unlikely that the slugger will be making his way to Anaheim.

--End of Update--

Wednesday, July 15 at 12:40 p.m. ET

The Angels are one of three teams that ESPN's Jim Bowden reports is pursuing a deal for San Diego left fielder Justin Upton, who can become a free agent at the end of the season.

Upton, 27, hasn't been the offensive powerhouse that the Padres hoped he'd be, as he entered the All-Star break with only five extra-base hits (two home runs) since June 1, a stretch that's seen him hit a woeful .180 (23-for-128).

That said, nobody disputes his natural abilities, and a change of scenery could be exactly what he needs to get his swing back on track. Bowden suggests a one-for-one swap that would find the Angels sending their top pitching prospect, left-handed starter Sean Newcomb, to San Diego.

To me, that seems like a bit too much for a player that's been in such a pronounced funk, but then again, Upton is a proven commodity while Newcomb is not. 

Angels Have Interest in Jay Bruce

Robert Mayer-USA TODAY Sports

Sunday, July 19 at 9:45 p.m. ET

We can add the Angels to the list of teams with interest in Cincinnati's Jay Bruce, according to a report from Fox Sports' Jon Morosi.

Seemingly healthy after rushing back from in-season knee surgery and laboring through most of 2014 and the early part of this season, Bruce's bat has gotten hotter as the season has progressed, and he's looking more and more like the player that averaged 30 home runs and 94 RBI a year from 2010 to 2013.

Due $12.5 million in 2016, the final year of his deal, the 28-year-old Bruce is more than a short-term rental and could become part of the team's long-term plans.

Will Ben Revere Wind Up in Los Angeles?

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

According to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, Los Angeles and Philadelphia nearly had a deal in place last month that would have sent Ben Revere to the Angels in exchange for pitching prospect Trevor Gott. However, the Angels pulled Gott off the table and tried to get Philadelphia interested in another young arm.

While that deal fell apart, the Angels' need for a left-handed bat (which Revere is) and someone that can hit at or near the top of the order (which Revere can) remains, so it's fair to wonder whether the two clubs might revisit the idea of a swap.

Gott, 22, has become an important member of the Angels bullpen, so it's unlikely that they'd agree to include him in the deal again. But the Angels have a handful of other young arms that could be of interest to the Phillies, including Victor Alcantara, Chris Ellis, Joe Gatto and Nate Smith, among others.