Despite Mark Trumbo drawing significant interest on the trade market, the Angels are reluctant to deal the powerful first baseman and outfielder, reports Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.
Mark Trumbo trade rumors: Angels ‘reluctant’ to deal 1B/OF
Los Angeles would rather deal one of their other trade pieces despite Trumbo drawing the most interest on the market.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Rumors have been swirling all offseason about Trumbo, who has been on the trade market alongside other Angels players like Peter Bourjos, Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick. The team would prefer to trade one of those players over Trumbo.
If Los Angeles elects to trade one of their other pieces and keep Trumbo, they likely will not see as big a return. The Angels are searching for young, talented starting pitching in any deal. With Jason Vargas a free agent, Los Angeles has little in the way of quality pitching behind C.J. Wilson and Jered Weaver.
White Sox trade rumors: Team could trade a pitcher for a bat
The White Sox are looking to improve an offense that was among the worst in the MLB in 2013. Trading Trumbo would also be the most effective way for the Angels to keep their payroll in check the next few years. He is entering arbitration for the first time and is set to become much more expensive. With bloated contracts to Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton on the books for many more years and an extension for Mike Trout needed in the future, the Angels need to be wary of their payroll, given their aversion to the luxury tax. Kendrick and Aybar are also making significant money the next few years, and would offer some respite financially in a trade.
Though Trumbo offers little more than power, he does that extremely well in a market where it’s rare, and has room to grow other facets of his hitting. Over three full seasons, he has 95 career home runs, including a career-high 34 in 2013. No free agent on the market this year was able to match Trumbo’s home run totals last season, and he may not have reached his peak. However, he has a career .299 OBP, albeit it in part due to hitting in a pitcher’s park, and is not a great defensive player.
Still, Trumbo’s power and three years of team control remaining make him an extremely attractive target for many teams. The Angels may be hard pressed not to trade him this year.
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