The Los Angeles Angels are undoubtedly sellers at the upcoming MLB trade deadline. Infielder Luis Rengifo has returned from the injured list ahead of the July 30 deadline, according to NY Post reporter Jon Heyman. He is scheduled to play on Tuesday night when the Angels face the Mariners. Rengifo went on the disabled list on July 4 due to wrist inflammation. He is back and should be traded before the deadline.
Rengifo is a switch-hitter with positional mobility on the field. He’s played second base, third base, shortstop, and right field this season. Offensively, he is having a career year. In 69 games, he had the highest batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and number of stolen bases in his career. It comes at an ideal time for the Angels, who can trade him with one year of control left.
The Angels begin Tuesday’s game with the American League’s third-worst record. After a dismal season last year in which they lost a great player in Shohei Ohtani, 2024 has not fared much better. Even with Mike Trout’s rehab assignment starting soon, their season is all but done. Luis Rengifo is one of a handful players the Angels could move to replenish their prospect pipeline before the trade deadline.
Luis Rengifo returns value at the MLB trading deadline.
Rengifo would make an excellent bench player for several teams this October. As a left-handed hitter, he hits.380 and has demonstrated his ability to play any defensive position. That is ideal for the New York Yankees’ needs.
With lefty Alex Verdugo and third baseman DJ Lemahieu still struggling, Rengifo might step in and solidify both elements of the Yankees’ roster. He is a better hitter and a more experienced veteran than current utility players Oswaldo Cabrera and Jahmai Jones, and his lefty swing will work well on the short porch. The Angels do not have a left-handed pitcher in their top 20 prospect list. The Yankees will trade lefty Henry Lalane and outfielder Brando Mayea to complete the deal.
In the National League, the Philadelphia Phillies recently parted ways with Whit Merrifield. They might be seeking for solid infield depth to replace him in their lineup. Alec Bohm, Trea Turner, and Bryson Stott are gobbling up innings on the infield, but all three are right-handed. A switch hitter who can steal and play all three spots would be immensely useful in the postseason. Prospects catcher Eduardo Tait and pitcher Wen Hui Pan will join the Angels in this trade.
The Pittsburgh Pirates could also make additions at the MLB trade deadline. Their pitching staff has helped them get within a half-game of the final Wild Card place. Rengifo’s smaller move would demonstrate to the club and fans that he is prepared to compete. Hunter Barco and Michael Kennedy, two left-handed pitchers, might be traded to the Angels to bring Rengifo into the mix.
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