The Angels bolster their 2025 playoff push, acquiring Andrew Chafin, Luis García & Oswald Peraza in deadline deals with the Nationals and Yankees on Aug 1.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
In a clear signal that they aren't waving the white flag on the 2025 season, the Los Angeles Angels made a series of moves on Friday to bolster a struggling pitching staff and retool their infield depth. General Manager Perry Minasian acquired veteran relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García from the Nationals and utility man Oswald Peraza from the Yankees, choosing to reinforce the current squad rather than sell off assets or swing for the fences with a blockbuster trade.
'Giving them a chance to play this thing out, relative to what was presented [in trade talks], made a lot of sense.' - GM Perry Minasian
The Angels' most significant move addressed their biggest weakness: a bullpen ranked 26th in MLB with a 4.60 ERA. They sent lefty prospect Jake Eder and Double-A first baseman Sam Brown to the Washington Nationals for two veteran arms. Lefty Andrew Chafin brings a stellar 2.70 ERA in 26 appearances this season, providing a much-needed reliable option from the left side. He's joined by a familiar face in right-hander Luis García, who returns for his third stint with the Angels after a strong campaign with the Nats. To clear roster space, lefty José Quijada was designated for assignment, marking a significant overhaul of the relief corps.
In a secondary move, the Halos swapped minor league outfielder Wilberson De Pena and international bonus pool money with the New York Yankees for infielder Oswald Peraza. The 25-year-old Peraza has struggled at the plate this year, hitting just .152, but provides defensive flexibility across the infield. He will take the bench spot of Kevin Newman, who was designated for assignment. While not a move that will light up the scoreboard, it's a low-risk depth addition that fits the front office's strategy.
Speaking to the media, GM Perry Minasian framed the day's trades as a vote of confidence in the team's young core. He explained the front office's philosophy was to make targeted upgrades without mortgaging the future, giving the current roster a chance to compete down the stretch. As debated by analysts on shows like 'Super Halo Bros. Live,' the moves represent a middle path—neither a full-on buy nor a sell-off. The Angels are betting that improved bullpen performance is the key to unlocking the team's potential and making a late-season run.
With the trade deadline chaos in the rearview mirror, the focus immediately shifts to the field. Tonight's game against the struggling Chicago White Sox (40-69) at Angel Stadium is more than just another game. For an Angels team sitting at 53-56 and 4-6 in their last 10 contests, it's the first test of this retooled roster. The front office has provided reinforcements; now, the players must prove they can turn those additions into wins, especially against beatable opponents, if they hope to stay in the wild card hunt.
The deadline has passed, and the front office has made its move—or rather, its series of calculated, modest moves. The message is clear: the fate of the 2025 season rests on the shoulders of the current core. With a reinforced bullpen and a new look on the bench, the pressure now shifts squarely to the field. Can this group reward the front office's faith and turn a sub-.500 record into a legitimate playoff push? The stretch run starts now.
