For the Angels, this move signifies their commitment to compete rather than trading away their star Shohei Ohtani. General Manager Perry Minasian pulled off a significant deal, acquiring Giolito, a top-tier player set to become a free agent after the season, and López, another valuable rental. Giolito, 29, has bounced back from a rough season and showcased a 3.79 ERA with a 3.12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 21 starts. His deceptive pitches, including a backspinning changeup, have proven challenging for batters. López, 29, has excelled in the bullpen, boasting a 3.38 ERA and a 3.70 strikeout-to-walk ratio in over 120 appearances.
However, Minasian paid a high price for this talent infusion, parting with some of their top prospects, including the system’s number one player. While the Angels’ chances of making the playoffs improved with this move, their margin for error remains slim, and further upgrades on the roster might be challenging due to the competitive trade market.
On the other side, the White Sox earned a solid “A” grade for their savvy deal-making. Despite more potential moves to come, General Manager Rick Hahn might have already secured the best trade. In exchange for two pitchers approaching free agency, the White Sox received Edgar Quero, a top-100 prospect known for his switch-hitting prowess. The 20-year-old catcher skipped High-A and has held his own in Double-A, displaying impressive on-base skills with more walks than strikeouts.
Quero’s offensive capabilities outweigh his average defensive skills, making him a promising candidate for the White Sox’s catcher of the future. Alongside Quero, they also acquired Ky Bush, a talented left-hander with mid-rotation potential. Although Bush has faced injury setbacks this season, his arsenal of quality pitches, including a potent slider, could see him join the Chicago rotation next season, pending workload management.
FAQs
- Why did the Angels make this trade?
The Angels are trying to make a playoff push this season, and they believe that Giolito and López will help them do that. Giolito is a Cy Young contender, and López is a solid reliever. The Angels also believe that Quero and Bush have the potential to be major league contributors, but they were willing to trade them in order to acquire two proven players. - Why did the White Sox make this trade?
The White Sox are rebuilding, and they are looking to acquire young, controllable talent. Quero and Bush are both top prospects, and they could be key pieces of the White Sox’s future. The White Sox also received a draft pick as part of the trade, which will give them another opportunity to add young talent.
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