MLB Trade Rumors: 4 Teams Linked to Angels OF Taylor Ward
The MLB trade deadline is now less than six weeks away, and teams around the majors are figuring out who to target to fill their needs. For those looking for a power boost in the outfield corners, the Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward is someone to keep an eye on.
Ward is on pace for a career-high in home runs, with 18 to this point, on pace for 41 dingers, and his 49 RBIs have him looking at a 113 RBI season if he keeps this up. He would absolutely blow away his previous bests, which were 25 HR & 75 RBIs (in 2024). His .738 OPS is a bit depressed, however, due to his .211 batting average.
The Angels have just one more year of team control on the 31-year-old Ward, so they might finally be ready to deal him this summer after holding on to him the past couple of seasons.
According to Mark Feinsand of mlb.com, there are four teams that would be good fits for Ward on the trade market, who can play either corner outfield spot:
Nolan Jones is having a pretty dreadful year in right field for the Guardians, with just 3 homers and 18 RBIs in 64 games. He hasn't been able to live up to his tremendous rookie year in 2023 for two seasons running now. With Cleveland battling for a Wild Card spot, they need to improve in RF, and Ward could be the answer.
Another team looking for a boost in the outfield, the Padres have been linked to other outfielders thus far this season, such as Jarren Duran of the Boston Red Sox. But Ward would obviously come much cheaper, and would help to fill their hole in LF.
The Rays are holding down the top Wild Card spot in the AL, but are tied for second-last in all of baseball with just five homers out of their right fielders. Ward would obviously help.
The Royals outfield has been a mess this season; they are dead last with just one home run out of their right fielders, and 28th in baseball with only three longballs out of left field. Ward could help in either corner.
Photo: © Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
