Taylor Ward moves to the Angels

As the Los Angeles Angels struggle through another disappointing season, general manager Perry Minasian should explore what he can get back by trading Taylor Ward. The Angels are fourth in the AL West and nine games out of an AL Wild Card spot. Combined with their long list of injuries, they won’t be competitive in 2024. With that in mind, the Angels should be sellers during the trade deadline. What does that mean? Everyone has to go. The Angels should look at trade options for Tyler Anderson. They should look at Luis Rengifo, Carlos Estevez, Griffin Canning, and anyone else who isn’t on a rookie contract and has a spark of trade value. Taylor Ward would bring back quality talent, as the 30-year-old outfielder has a batting average of .246/.328/.443/.771. Additionally, Ward won’t enter arbitration until after this year, so whoever acquires him will have him through the 2026 season.

A Taylor Ward trade must take place for the Angels

Taylor Ward Trading Partners

22 teams are just four games out of a playoff spot. With that in mind, there’s ample opportunity to trade an above-average left fielder who is controlled by the team through 2026. The Kansas City Royals have not received any production from the left fielder position. The same goes for the Minnesota Twins. Heavyweight contenders like the Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros could also use a boost to their outfield offense. There has been talk of the Philadelphia Phillies seeking outfield reinforcements. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers are also possible candidates if they decide their young outfield talent isn’t ready this season. No matter who pulls the trigger, one thing is clear: Taylor Ward is generating trade interest.

MLB Pipeline – Preseason Farm System Rankings:
Pittsburgh: 28.
Minnesota: 15th place
Atlanta: 26.
Houston: 27.
Philadelphia: 22.

Kansas City gets Ward and Strickland

The Kansas City Royals can use a Taylor Ward trade more than any other contender. The Royals are eight games behind the Guardians in the AL Central but have a 1 1/2 game lead over the Boston Red Sox in the battle for the final wild card spot. MJ Melendez has struggled mightily in the 2024 season, posting a mediocre .610 OPS. In short, he has an OPS+ of 69, slowing down a decent offense. Hunter Renfroe isn’t much better in right field, as he currently sits at an OPS of .682 (89 OPS+). The Angels could also use a reliever not named Carlos Estevez, because Kansas City also needs help in the bullpen.

Kansas City Royals receive: LF Taylor Ward and RHP Hunter Strickland.
The Los Angeles Angels receive: RHP Ben Kudrna (#3 KC candidate), C Carter Jensen (#10 KC), LHP Hunter Owen (#21 KC), RHP Emmanuel Reyes (Unranked)

Atlanta signs Taylor Ward

As far as playoff contenders go, only the Kansas City Royals have less outfield power than the Atlanta Braves. Due to Ronald Acuna Jr.’s season-ending injury and the lack of production from Adam Duvall and the currently injured Michael Harris II, the Braves’ outfield has struggled. Former top prospect Jarred Kelenic was incredible in June, posting batting averages of .306/.355/.529/.884. The trio of Ramon Laureano, Forrest Wall and Luke Williams, on the other hand, have contributed nothing offensively. The Braves are seven games back in the NL East, but have a solid 5 1/2 game lead over the New York Mets and a wild card spot.

Atlanta Braves receive: LF Taylor Ward
The Los Angeles Angels receive: RHP JR Ritchie (#4 ATL), C Drake Baldwin (#11 ATL), OF Ethan Workinger (unranked)

Houston trades for a sure thing

A trade of Taylor Ward to the Houston Astros would bolster the team’s outfield during Kyle Tucker’s injury. While Yordan Alvarez occasionally plays left field, that is not the team’s preferred choice due to his lack of defensive ability. Alvarez is there to hit, so he is better suited as a designated hitter. Although the Astros could turn to their young players for outfield reinforcements, Ward is more of a safe bet. Jacob Melton, the Astros’ top young player, currently has an OPS of .781 in Double-A. Their No. 5 young player, Joey Loperfido, currently with the Astros, is not well positioned defensively in the outfield. The Astros struggled to start the season, finishing 12-24. Now that they have returned to a .500 record (41-41), every game counts in their quest to catch Seattle. They currently sit 4 1/2 games behind the division-leading Mariners. They are also 3 1/2 games out of the final Wild Card spot.

Houston Astros receive: LF Taylor Ward
Los Angeles Angels receive: SS Brice Matthews (#3 HOU), RHP AJ Blubaugh (#7 HOU), RHP Andrew Taylor (#16 HOU)

Minnesota gets Ward and Moore

The Minnesota Twins are one spot ahead of the Royals in the AL Central. A Taylor Ward trade would be huge for the Twins because of their subpar outfield performance. Alex Kirilloff has a .653 OPS while recovering from a back injury that landed him on the injured list. Unsurprisingly, injuries have been a major problem for the Twins outfield, with every starter spending time on the IL this season. Minnesota is just one game ahead of the Royals in the battle for the second Wild Card spot, with the Red Sox 2 1/2 games behind. Steve Okert has pitched decently as the best bullpen LHP, but the Angels could sign Matt Moore to sweeten the deal. The Angels would likely have to reduce some of his salary to improve their return. If they do that, top-100 prospect Gabriel Gonzalez should be in play.

Minnesota Twins receive: LF Taylor Ward, LHP Matt Moore
The Los Angeles Angels receive: OF Gabriel Gonzalez (#81 MLB prospect; #4 MIN), RHP Andrew Morris (#17 MIN), INF Rayne Doncon (#28 MIN)

Philadelphia trades outfielder

The Philadelphia Phillies are in the amazing position of not having any major holes as the trade deadline approaches. Still, there are rumors that they are looking to strengthen their outfield. Brandon Marsh has been solid in left field, but the team may look to move him to center field, where Johan Rojas has struggled. If they do that, Taylor Ward would be the perfect signing to secure left field. For a team that would consider this season a failure without a World Series title, such a move could bring them victory.

Philadelphia Phillies receive: LF Taylor Ward
The Los Angeles Angels receive: OF Justin Crawford (#60 MLB, #4 PHI candidate), C Caleb Ricketts (#20 PHI)

Main photo credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports