Angels exit playoffs by ‘waiving starting pitchers, relievers and outfielders’ a month after holding Shohei Ohtani to deadline
- LA chooses not to trade Ohtani, rather than risk losing him for no return
- The Angels are second last in the AL West and 11.5 games out of the Wild Card
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A month after opting to keep two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani at the trade deadline, the Los Angeles Angels now appear to be waiving the white flag for their season.
As reported by ESPNthe club placed starter Lucas Giolito, relievers Matt Moore and Reynaldo López, and outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk on waivers, allowing more competitive teams to collect their haft contracts heading into the playoffs.
LA opened the day 11.5 games away from the final Wild Card spot in the American League.
The side recently learned that Ohtani had suffered a UCL tear in his right elbow, ending his season on the mound and putting his future as a top pitcher in doubt.
Ohtani becomes a free agent after this season, but remains the best baseball player with 44 homeruns this season.
The Angels keep Shohei Ohtani, but not much else as the playoffs approach
Randal Grichuk and Lucas Giolito are among the five players to be released
A different order for who might claim the players is determined by who has the worst record, and any player can be claimed on Thursday. If a claim is made, they will still receive their prorated salaries for the remainder of the season.
Teams with playoff hopes are expected to make claims against a number of players as they hope to secure a roster boost as the season comes to a close.
If all five players are claimed, the Angels will save about $7 million in salary over the last month of the season.
Veteran Hunter Renfroe, outfielder Hunter Renfrow is also among the players excluded
Relief pitcher Matt Moore will also be available with waivers after the shocking roster moves
That amount would put them below the threshold of a $233 million competitive tax.
Jim Duquette of MLB Networks reported that the MLBPA is likely to file a complaint since the transactions are for the most part non-performance related and are not an attempt to get under the luxury tax.
In the Angels’ disastrous season, they currently stand at a 63-69 record and second to last American League West. They are also 11.5 games outside the wildcard picture.
Ohtani isn’t the only current superstar on the Angels roster to deal with an injury, as Mike Trout looks set to miss the remainder of the season with a broken hamate fracture in his left hand.