Justin Upton adds firepower to Mike Trout's Angels
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The Angels' offense has been much better in August, averaging 5.07 runs per game (ninth-best in the majors in August). But overall they rank just 12th in the AL in runs. The only regulars with an above-average OPS are Trout, Andrelton Simmons and C.J. Cron. Meanwhile, Albert Pujols, hitting .232/.278/.387 with a league-leading 21 double plays hit into, ranks 147th out of 154 qualified regulars in wOBA, but has continued to hold down the No. 3 spot in the lineup behind Trout.
It would make sense for manager Mike Scioscia to slot Upton behind Trout and slide Pujols down in the lineup, but given his reluctance to move Pujols so far, Upton could take over the cleanup spot.
Justin Verlander- Miguel Cabrera era are over. In fact, the Tigers would probably love to trade Verlander as well, but he makes $28 million each of the next two seasons. With huge outlays still on the books for Verlander, Cabrera (signed through 2023) and Jordan Zimmermann (signed through 2020), the Tigers don't have a lot of payroll flexibility in the near future. It's likely a long haul back to respectability for this franchise.
Angels grade: B . Upton, 30, is a notoriously streaky hitter, although he's been much more consistent this season. Still, given how hot he's been since the break, you wonder if he's due for one of his cold spells. But you have to like this trade for the Angels. They have to go all-in to win while Trout is in his prime. His grade could even bump up to an A if Upton decides to remain with the Angels (although given his body type, you wonder how he'll age as he gets deeper into his 30s).
Tigers grade: B. Their hands were sort of tied, as Upton would undoubtedly have opted out after the season, unwilling to stick around with a rebuilding Tigers team. They were able to get a sleeper pitching prospect in Long, whose numbers probably outperform the scouting report, but who should get a chance to prove himself as a starter in the majors.
