(Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
The Los Angeles Angels are entering franchise-altering days as we speak.
They are 51-49, 7.5 games behind the Texas Rangers for the AL West lead and 4.5 behind the Toronto Blue Jays for the last Wild Card spot.
In other words, they are in a tough spot when it comes to outlining their trade deadline strategy.
The decision gets more complicated because they could be faced with the prospect of trading their franchise player, Shohei Ohtani.
If they manage to stay relatively close to the last Wild Card from here to August 1, the day of the deadline, they might actually become buyers.
If they fall too far from that last spot, they could become sellers and trade the best player in baseball ahead of hitting free agency.
When will they make a decision?
Probably after the weekend series, according to MLB insider Jon Morosi.
“Sources say the Angels’ internal discussions about a buy/sell decision remain ongoing. Team officials are likely to wait until after the upcoming Tigers and Blue Jays series before determining if they’re willing to move Ohtani,” he tweeted.
Sources say the Angels’ internal discussions about a buy/sell decision remain ongoing.
Team officials are likely to wait until after the upcoming Tigers and Blue Jays series before determining if they’re willing to move Ohtani. @MLBNetwork @MLBNetworkRadio
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 25, 2023
The Angels play three against the Detroit Tigers from Tuesday to Thursday and three against the Blue Jays from Friday to Sunday.
Both series are extremely important, especially the Blue Jays one: as of Tuesday afternoon, Toronto is the team holding that last Wild Card spot.
If the Angels sweep the Tigers and Blue Jays, or win four or five games, they could be in an excellent position to make a run at their first postseason spot since 2014.
If they get swept or lose, say, five of the six games, they could opt to sell.
NEXT: Angels Insider Notes Where The Team Stands As Deadline Approaches
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