Angels fall to White Sox 6-3 on Aug 2, 2025, despite adding Andrew Chafin & Oswald Peraza. Can the Halos' new acquisitions fix their bullpen struggles?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a night of duality at Angel Stadium. On the field, a familiar story of missed opportunities and bullpen struggles led to a 6-3 loss against the Chicago White Sox. Off the field, however, the Angels' front office was busy finalizing a post-deadline roster shakeup, officially welcoming reliever Andrew Chafin and new infielder Oswald Peraza in a bid to change the team's fortunes.
.152 - Oswald Peraza's batting average in 71 games for New York, a number the Angels are betting they can dramatically improve with a fresh start in Anaheim.
The Halos couldn't get the big hit when they needed it and the pitching couldn't contain Chicago's bats. The White Sox jumped ahead thanks to home runs from Andrew Benintendi and Lenyn Sosa, spoiling a night where Taylor Ward managed to drive in his 78th run of the season. The bullpen once again proved to be the weak link, allowing key runs late that put the game out of reach and dropped the Angels to a disappointing 53-56 on the year.
To address the ongoing bullpen issues, the Angels made a move official on Saturday. Newly acquired left-hander Andrew Chafin was added to the active roster, bringing a veteran presence to the relief corps. To make room, the team optioned Sam Bachman to Triple-A. The hope is that Chafin, a trade deadline pickup, can provide the stability and reliability that has been sorely lacking in late-inning situations.
The most intriguing move of the week was the acquisition of infielder Oswald Peraza from the New York Yankees. The deal, which sent prospect Wilberson De Pena and international bonus money to New York, brings a former top prospect to Anaheim. Peraza struggled mightily with the Yankees, hitting just .152 in limited action, but the Angels are gambling on his potential. He offers defensive versatility and could see significant playing time, giving the organization a chance to see if a change of scenery can unlock the talent that once made him a coveted player.
The Angels are clearly in a transitional phase, trying to salvage the present while building for the future. The immediate pain of another loss is real, but all eyes will now be on how quickly new arrivals Andrew Chafin and Oswald Peraza can make an impact. Can a revamped roster provide the spark this team desperately needs to climb back toward .500? The next few games will be telling.