Angels Lefty Becomes A Significant Trade Chip At Deadline

The Los Angeles Angels will be looked at as sellers as we approach the MLB trade deadline later this summer. They're bringing up the rear in the entire American League, at 29-43. One of the Halos' top trade chips will undoubtedly be southpaw Reid Detmers. 

He's on a heater, boosting his trade value significantly, and as noted by insider Bob Nightengale of USA Today, teams are noticing.  

Los Angeles Angels left-handed starter Reid Detmers is starting to pick up plenty of traction among teams seeking a starter at the trade deadline. Detmers is 1-0 with a 1.73 ERA in his past four starts, yielding a 0.54 WHIP and .105 opposing batting average with 37 strikeouts in 26 innings. He also has two more years of control.

Detmers has had flashes like this before, but it's never been consistent enough to be counted on on a full-time basis. His 2024 was so bad (6.70 ERA), that the Angels pulled him from the rotation for 2025 and used him exclusively as a reliever. 

But this season, he's been much more good than bad. He's really only had two or three truly bad starts out of 14 thus far. He has a 4.00 ERA and an American League-leading 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings. 

Additionally, being a lefty, and with two more years of team control, he should bring back a nice return for the Angels if they're willing to deal him.