The Angels' trade deadline hopes soured on Aug 1, 2025, as new reliever Andrew Chafin faltered in a 6-3 loss to the White Sox. Can the Halos fix their bullpen?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The trade deadline brought a flurry of activity and a clear message from the Angels' front office: we are not folding. With the acquisitions of infielder Oswald Peraza and relievers Andrew Chafin and Luis García, the Halos aimed to make a push. But just hours after the dust settled, the team delivered a performance that felt painfully familiar, falling 6-3 to the Chicago White Sox as the revamped bullpen stumbled in its first test.
'We’re not giving up on this season. The guys we brought in—Peraza, Chafin, García—are here to help us win now.' - Manager Ron Washington
The game script felt like a rerun of the Angels' biggest struggles this season. Starter Chase Silseth battled effectively, going 5.2 innings and allowing just two earned runs while striking out seven. The offense, powered by a two-run blast from Taylor Ward, kept things knotted at 3-3. But the wheels came off in the seventh inning. Newly acquired reliever Andrew Chafin, making his Angels debut, surrendered a go-ahead two-run double to Andrew Benintendi, sealing the team's fate. It was a gut-punch debut that immediately cast doubt on whether the new arms can fix the old problems.
General Manager Perry Minasian was active, aiming to address key weaknesses. The headline move brought infielder Oswald Peraza from the Yankees for a minor leaguer. While Peraza struggled in New York, the 24-year-old offers defensive upside and will get a chance for consistent playing time, leading to Kevin Newman's designation for assignment. To bolster the bullpen, the Angels also added veteran righty Luis García, whose 3.88 ERA and postseason experience are meant to stabilize the late innings alongside Chafin and Carlos Estévez. As Minasian told MLB Network, the goal was to 'add depth... and keep us in the hunt.'
Amidst the team's frustrating loss, Taylor Ward provided a significant silver lining. His two-run homer in the sixth inning was his 26th of the season, pushing his RBI total to 80. With that swing, Ward became the first Angels outfielder since Mike Trout in 2022 to surpass the 25-homer, 75-RBI mark, a testament to his breakout season as a core offensive piece. He later celebrated on Instagram, vowing to 'keep pushing,' a sentiment the entire clubhouse needs to adopt.
While the big league club navigates its 'win now' mandate, the future continues to develop. First baseman Trey Cabbage earned a well-deserved promotion to Triple-A Salt Lake after a torrid season in Double-A. Meanwhile, outfielder Jo Adell has begun his rehab assignment with the Bees, looking to rejoin the team after a hamstring injury. His potential return could add another dynamic bat to the lineup down the stretch.
One game is not a verdict on the trade deadline, but Friday's loss was a stark reminder that roster moves on paper don't guarantee wins on the field. The pressure is now on for Peraza, Chafin, and García to integrate quickly and make a tangible impact. With the team now 9 games out of the division lead, the margin for error is nonexistent. All eyes will be on Saturday's '90s Night' game to see if the Angels can bounce back and prove that the front office's belief in this squad is more than just wishful thinking.
