With the MLB trade deadline less than 48 hours away, the Los Angeles Angels have not yet committed to a clear plan but are receiving significant trade interest in outfielders Jo Adell and Taylor Ward, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Both players remain under club control beyond this season, compelling the Angels to seek substantial returns if they decide to trade either one.
Jo Adell’s Rising Offensive Profile and Defensive Challenges
Jo Adell, 26, was the tenth overall pick in the 2017 draft and, although never fully meeting his top prospect expectations early on, is currently experiencing a career-best offensive season. He is batting .233 with a .303 on-base percentage and a .463 slugging percentage, having hit 21 home runs and 14 doubles so far. Despite a brief slump lasting about a week, his overall performance has improved substantially since early May, with 19 of his 21 home runs coming after May 6. During this period, Adell posted a .254/.332/.539 line and performed 37% better than league average in weighted runs created (wRC+).
Adell is under team control for two more years following this season and earns $2.1 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility, making him a cost-effective addition for other teams needing a right-handed power bat. His power display is notably stronger against left-handed pitching, and teams such as the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants have emerged as logical suitors given their roster needs and financial situations.
Primarily positioned in center field this year, Adell has struggled defensively. The Angels shifted star player Mike Trout to share right field and designated hitter duties alongside Jorge Soler, while Ward holds down left field. Adell has faced difficulties in center field, with Statcast rating him six outs below average and Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) assigning a very negative score of -10. However, over nearly 1,500 innings in right field across recent seasons, he has been an average to above-average defender, according to both Statcast and DRS metrics.
Taylor Ward’s Established Role and Offensive Revival
Taylor Ward, aged 31, represents a more established and higher-paid option for the Angels. Controlled through the end of the 2026 season, he is earning $7.825 million in 2025. Ward was the 25th pick of the 2015 draft and has steadily produced as a corner outfielder since his breakout campaign in 2022. This year’s batting line stands at .232/.308/.491, resulting in a 117 wRC+, but, similar to Adell, Ward’s early-season struggles gave way to a strong resurgence.
During his first 130 plate appearances, Ward hit just .172/.215/.352, but since May 4, he has flourished with a .258/.346/.552 average across 324 plate appearances. His performance over that span translates to a 144 wRC+, indicating a significant offensive turnaround. Ward has primarily occupied left field since 2023, with defensive metrics confirming his glove work as at least average. Statcast trends slightly favor him with nine combined Outs Above Average (OAA) in recent years.
The Angels’ Complex Decision Amid Playoff Aspirations and Roster Constraints
The Angels currently trail the AL West leaders by eight games but are more competitively placed 4.5 games behind in the AL Wild Card race, where four teams stand between them and a postseason berth. Owner Arte Moreno has historically hesitated to dismantle core players, especially those like Adell and Ward, who have multiple years remaining on their contracts.
However, the team faces critical shortcomings in pitching depth, prompting consideration of potential trades involving their corner outfielders, which include Ward, Adell, Trout, and Soler. Swapping one of the outfielders for pitching talent or prospects could bolster the pitching staff without wholly abandoning playoff hopes. Trading Adell would leave a hole in center field, but given his defensive struggles in that position, the impact might be mitigated.
The Angels could retain one of the two corner options while targeting a new center fielder through trade, with candidates like Luis Robert Jr., Harrison Bader, or Cedric Mullins available as possible fits. This shuffling could improve defensive performance and bolster pitching, addressing two longstanding weaknesses simultaneously.
Ongoing Postseason Drought Adds Pressure on Front Office
Los Angeles has not reached the playoffs since 2014, the longest active drought in Major League Baseball, which places additional urgency on general manager Perry Minasian and owner Arte Moreno to make strategic moves. Despite analytics projections from FanGraphs and Baseball Prospectus indicating less than a five percent chance to secure a postseason spot in 2025, the organization’s leaders may feel compelled to act aggressively to change the team’s trajectory.
Trading either Adell or Ward does not necessarily mean conceding the season, but rather exploring a calculated approach to strengthen weaknesses. The Angels rank near the bottom in defensive runs saved (29th) and outs above average (27th) among all MLB outfields, highlighting the need for adjustment.
With an overabundance of corner outfield talent, leveraging players like Adell or Ward to address pitching depth and improve center field defense could position the Angels to be more competitive down the stretch and beyond.
“The Angels still haven’t picked a firm lane with the trade deadline just over 48 hours away, but they’re getting significant interest in outfielders Jo Adell and Taylor Ward.” —Ken Rosenthal, Baseball Writer
“Moving Adell would create a gap in center field, but as already outlined, he’s not a strong option there anyhow. The Angels could deal Ward or Taylor for pitching and/or prospects, play the other in left, and still look to backfill center field with a trade for someone like Luis Robert Jr., Harrison Bader or Cedric Mullins.” —Ken Rosenthal, Baseball Writer
“Angels owner Arte Moreno is generally loath to sell — particularly when it comes to players who are controlled for multiple seasons, as both Adell and Ward are.” —Ken Rosenthal, Baseball Writer
“The Angels haven’t reached the postseason since 2014 — the longest active drought in the sport. It’s understandable if that gives Moreno and general manager Perry Minasian some extra incentive to make a push for October.” —Ken Rosenthal, Baseball Writer