Angels' 211-Strikeout Ace Named MLB's Top Trade Candidate
MLBTR noted the Angels discussed Detmers at the deadline, and that Detmers should again be a top target for teams seeking starting pitching now that he’s down to two years of arbitration control.
A Career Year
Detmers was the 10th overall pick in 2020, and made all 32 starts this year with a 3.36 ERA and 211 strikeouts in 185 innings.
He struck out 28.5 percent of batters against a 6.5 percent walk rate and became the first Angels lefty with 200 strikeouts in a season since Chuck Finley in 1999, according to MLB.com, though he went just 7-8 because of a lack of run support.
Reid Detmers’ first season back in the rotation is complete: 7-8 W/L, 3.36 ERA, 185 IP, 211 Ks Grade his season A through F. https://t.co/8EihXF0H7t
— SleeperAngels (@SleeperAngels) September 27, 2026
MLBTR described him as a No. 2 or high-end No. 3 starter who sits around 94 mph and has a pair of swing-and-miss breaking balls.
He’s projected for $7.5 million next year and should make around $20 million over his two arbitration years, and he can’t become a free agent until after 2028.
The Market
The Cubs were among his suitors at the deadline, but the Angels’ asking price was reportedly 'astronomical' for every team, and talks never got close with anyone.
Appel said the Angels hoped someone would overpay and were otherwise content to keep controllable pieces like Detmers and Zach Neto.
The Angels landed top shortstop prospect Arjun Nimmala from Toronto for Soriano and should seek a similar headliner for Detmers, likely with a better package of surrounding talent.
After a failed attempt to trade for Reid Detmers during the August 3rd trade deadline. The #Cubs need to double down and find a way to make him a Cub. Detmers is coming off a strong season with the Angels, posting a 3.36 ERA and a 28.5% strikeout rate. Detmers makes so much sense for the #Cubs and could fit perfectly into the starting rotation. Some reports suggested a deal was close to being done but fell through because the players involved in the trade had their medicals rejected. I believe the #Cubs need to keep Reid Detmers on their radar when they start shopping for some new arms to plug into this rotation. Do you agree? Should Reid Detmers be a main offseason target for the #Cubs? LET'S HEAR IT!
— Just Another Year Chicago: Cubs (@JAYChi_Cubs) October 27, 2026
Neto is No. 3 on the same list, and the Angels are hiring a new general manager for 2027 after letting Perry Minasian go, with MLBTR suggesting both would make sense on the trade block if the new front office doesn’t see a path to near-term contention.
Detmers has also been named as a prime target for the White Sox and Cardinals, though nothing has been reported on talks with either team.
