Los Angeles Angels Trade Deadline: Preview and Predictions

Here we are, the final two weeks before the 2015 MLB trade deadline comes and goes. The Los Angeles Angels, recent usurpers of first place in the American League West, should be one of the most active teams in the league as this deadline approaches.

The Angels are a good team with some dire needs. That is the perfect combination for a deadline buyer, and hopefully new management is on the phones tirelessly this week.

We've already covered pretty recently what Los Angeles needs, so here is where some of the buzz currently stands in terms of filling those needs:

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

Fox Sports' Jon Morosi says the team is interested in outfielder Jay Bruce and had a scout watching him over the weekend. This makes a lot of sense. Left field has been a black hole for LA, and Bruce is just the type of power bat this lineup needs. He isn't the highest average hitter, but he does everything else well.

The Reds will presumably be looking for a pitching prospect in return for Bruce, something the Angels may actually be able to come up with. Los Angeles' farm system is shallow, but there are some quality arms floating around.

ESPN's Jim Bowden expressed his satisfaction with a possible Sean Newcomb for Justin Upton trade, since the move would help both the Angels and Padres. This is seemingly just Bowden's opinion, as he's not reporting anything from either end. He's just using his years of MLB experience to make the point.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal had a scoop earlier this month about the Angels inquiring about Josh Reddick and Ben Zobrist from the Oakland Athletics. According to Rosenthal, "the A’s...gave the Angels a flat 'no' on Reddick." He did not expand on any talks involving Zobrist.

Morry Gash/Associated Press

All these names and others have been floating around the rumor mill.

What the rumors seem to indicate is that LA is pushing hard to find an outfield and/or left-handed bat. Some of the other names that have come up include Nick Markakis (solid bat, little power), Ben Revere (great speed, no power), Adam Lind (doesn't play OF anymore, but good hitter), Carlos Gonzalez (good hitter when healthy) and others.

With the market differing greatly for each of these players, zeroing in on what Los Angeles can afford is difficult.

Milwaukee is certainly looking to deal Lind. He has a team-option year in 2016, but he is otherwise a free agent. Lind currently sports an .870 OPS and will have a number of organizations calling about him. It may be likely the Brewers can find a better asset than what the Angels would offer.

That is just an example of the tricky nature of the trade deadline. Just because a trade would work for both sides, as indicated in the Jim Bowden "news", it doesn't mean the trade will actually take place.

Predictions

By the time August 1 rolls around, the Angels will have made two moves for bats.

They will have added one significant bat on the Upton, Bruce or Lind sliding scale. They will also have added one bench bat to rotate in at DH and spot start in the field. Players like Zobrist or Markakis, although big names, fit this role with their current skill sets.

In exchange, LA will have given up three total pitching prospects, including either Newcomb or current Major League fixture, Andrew Heaney, though not both. This is a team that has a chance to go far in the playoffs with the addition of another impact bat, and management realizes it.