It would be tempting for the Los Angeles Angels to contemplate a rebuild after the team hit its lowest point in franchise history — on paper, at least — by losing 99 games in 2024.
Dealing outfielder Taylor Ward, who logged career-highs in home runs and RBIs in 2024, and is one year away from free agency, might be a good way to reset the roster for the future if general manager Perry Minasian can fill multiple needs with one trade.
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For now at least, it appears the Angels are likely to hold onto Ward for 2025 and try to win with their current core intact, even as other teams inquire about the 30-year-old veteran.
"Two other players the Royals have checked in on are Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm and Angels outfielder Taylor Ward, according to sources, but nothing has progressed deeply yet," reports Anne Rogers of MLB.com.
Ward slashed .246/.323/.426 in 2024 with 25 home runs and 75 RBIs. He posted an above-average OPS+ (111) for the fourth consecutive season while playing 156 games in left field.
Kansas City broke an eight-year playoff drought in 2024, advancing to the American League Division Series after engineering an 86-win regular season — a massive turnaround from their 56-106 season in 2023. In the postseason, however, the Royals' relative lack of lineup depth was exposed by the New York Yankees, who eventually advanced to the World Series.
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Ward would represent an upgrade over the Royals' incumbent left fielder, M.J. Melendez, who accrued -0.9 WAR last season.
Rogers notes that "that the teams weren't close to a deal and that discussions were happening with multiple teams." Kansas City has also checked in on Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm.
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If Royals general manager J.J. Picollo is looking to strike a bargain, he better not hold his breath. Robert Murray of FanSided noted on the most recent "Baseball Insiders" podcast that the Angels' asking price for Ward at the July trade deadline was high.
"They're trying to win," Murray said of the Angels. "Last deadline, it was clear talking to teams that their asking prices for guys like Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo, especially Ward, were pretty unrealistic. There was never really a good chance they were traded. Unless those prices come down, I would be pretty surprised if either one gets traded."
The Royals have also been linked to the Reds in talks for infielder Jonathan India in a deal that would send pitcher Brady Singer to Cincinnati.
While neither deal is necessarily close — or even likely to happen — the Royals are clearly interested in upgrading their offense at multiple positions via trades, a logical next step for a team on the rise.
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