Angels salary dump: Why Lucas Giolito, Hunter Renfroe, others were reportedly cut weeks after trade

The Los Angeles Angels have placed starting pitcher Lucas Giolito, relief pitchers Matt Moore and Reynaldo López, and outfielders Hunter Renfroe and Randal Grichuk on waivers, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Trades are not allowed after the Aug. 1 deadline for players who have appeared in the majors this season, meaning that the Angels will not receive any compensation if/when other teams claim those players. In other words, this is a mass salary dump.

The waiver-wire order goes from worst record to best, meaning that the teams vying for a wild-card spot could be in an advantageous position here. That could be good news for the likes of the San Diego Padres, Miami Marlins, and Cincinnati Reds, presuming they’re willing to take on what remains of the player’s contracts.

Do note that these players will remain postseason eligible if they’re claimed, making the more than a regular-season rental, depending on how the acquiring team fares the rest of the way.

The Angels were projected to be a little over $5 million over the luxury tax threshold, according to Spotrac. Luxury tax numbers are not calculated until after the season, meaning the Angels could very well get under the line.

Angels Acquire Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez

Los Angeles declared itself buyers this evening when they formally took Shohei Ohtani off the trade market. Once they committed to making a push in Ohtani’s final season of club control, there was little reason not to act boldly. They’ve done just that, surrendering two of their top prospects for the top rental starter available and a relief upgrade.

BREAKING: The Los Angeles Angels are finalizing a deal to acquire right-hander Lucas Giolito and right-handed reliever Reynaldo Lopez from the Chicago White Sox for catcher Edgar Quero and left-hander Ky Bush, two top prospects, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 27, 2023

Dodgers Have Shown Interest In Lucas Giolito

The Dodgers are among the teams showing interest in White Sox righty Lucas Giolito, tweets Jon Morosi of MLB.com. It’s a natural fit, given the Dodgers’ need for rotation reinforcements and the White Sox’ status as likely sellers of short-term pieces. Giolito is a free agent at season’s end.

Giolito, who’ll turn 29 tomorrow, figures to be of interest to a wide variety of contending clubs. He’s in the midst of a strong season, is earning a $10.4MM salary this season, and has a strong track record dating back to his 2019 breakout. Similarly, the Dodgers figure to cast a wide net as they survey the trade market for starting pitching help. While it’s certainly of note that they’ve shown some interest in Giolito, there’s also no indication that there have been any advanced talks for the righty or that he, in particular, is being pursued more aggressively than the many other starters expected to popular the trade market. In some regards, it’d actually be more surprising to learn that the Dodgers weren’t interested in Giolito, given how logical the pairing is.