For an organization navigating legitimate limitations in both payroll flexibility and roster construction, the Los Angeles Angels ended up making a surprisingly large number of moves. Despite their financial and structural constraints, the front office chose to be aggressive, particularly when it came to reshaping key areas of the team.
The most noticeable overhaul came in the bullpen, where the Angels brought in a trio of experienced arms Kirby Yates, Jordan Romano, and Brent Suter. Whether those additions ultimately prove to be a net positive remains uncertain, but there is no question that the relief corps looks very different compared to what it was previously.
The starting rotation also received some degree of attention, though the results there are far less clear. The Angels made a bold move by acquiring Grayson Rodriguez in a trade, while also taking a chance on Alek Manoah through free agency.
Both pitchers come with upside, but also carry considerable question marks, making their contributions difficult to project with any level of confidence. At best, the early returns on those decisions are inconclusive, and it may take a significant portion of the season before the team can accurately assess whether those gambles paid off.
However, perhaps the most intriguing and now concerning move the Angels made was their decision to trade for outfielder Josh Lowe in an effort to strengthen their offensive production. At the time of the acquisition, the move was viewed as a calculated risk.
MORE: Cardinals have painful roster dilemma with Kyle Leahy’s experiment
Lowe possessed clear talent and had already demonstrated his potential at the major league level, but he also carried a track record that made him something of an unknown commodity. The Angels were betting on his upside, hoping that he could rediscover the form that once made him such an exciting player.
Looking back, Lowe’s 2023 campaign stands out as the defining example of what he is capable of when everything clicks. During that season, he delivered an impressive slash line of .292/.335/.500, showcasing a well-rounded offensive skill set that included both power and speed. He launched 20 home runs and stole 32 bases, illustrating his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Performances like that naturally generated optimism and made it easier for teams to convince themselves that Lowe could be a difference-maker in the right situation.
Unfortunately, that level of production has proven difficult for him to sustain. Injuries have played a significant role in disrupting his career trajectory, particularly a series of soft-tissue issues that have repeatedly sidelined him.
Among those ailments, problems with his obliques have been especially troublesome, limiting both his availability and effectiveness. These recurring health concerns have prevented Lowe from building on his breakout season, leaving teams to wonder whether that performance was a glimpse of his true potential or more of an outlier.
MORE: Raisel Iglesias Injury Reportedly Fuels Braves-Cardinals Trade
Even with those risks in mind, the Angels’ decision to acquire Lowe was understandable. Given their circumstances, they needed to take chances on players who offered upside, and Lowe fit that description. If he could stay healthy and regain his previous form, he had the potential to provide a significant boost to their lineup. It was the kind of move that might not be entirely safe, but one that could yield meaningful rewards if things broke in their favor.
So far, though, that optimism has not translated into results on the field. Through his first 23 games with the Angels, Lowe has struggled to make a positive impact, and the trade is already drawing criticism. His performance has fallen short of expectations, raising concerns about whether he can deliver the production the team was counting on. Early struggles do not necessarily define a player’s season, but they can quickly shape perceptions, especially when a player arrives with both high hopes and notable risk factors.
At this stage, it is still too early to make a definitive judgment on the trade. Baseball seasons are long, and players often go through extended slumps before finding their rhythm. Lowe has shown in the past that he is capable of high-level production, and it would not be surprising to see him eventually turn things around. However, the slow start has undeniably cast a shadow over what was once viewed as a potentially savvy acquisition.
For the Angels, this situation highlights the broader challenge they face as a team operating under constraints. When resources are limited, every move carries added significance, and the margin for error becomes much smaller. Taking calculated risks is often necessary, but those risks can just as easily backfire as they can pay off. In Lowe’s case, the early signs suggest that the gamble has yet to deliver the desired return.
Ultimately, the success or failure of this trade will depend on what happens over the remainder of the season. If Lowe can stay healthy and rediscover his 2023 form, the narrative could shift dramatically in the Angels’ favor. On the other hand, if his struggles continue and injuries remain an issue, this move may come to be viewed as a missed opportunity for a team that could not afford many of them. For now, all the Angels can do is hope that patience and time will allow their investment in Lowe to finally pay dividends.
So far, the Angels’ trade for Josh Lowe has been a bust, but there is a silver lining
At this point in time, it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain any real confidence that Lowe will rediscover the form that made him so productive in 2023, at least in the near future. His current performance at the plate has been deeply underwhelming, to the point where it is bordering on unplayable. Through his first 72 plate appearances, he has managed to produce a slash line of just .156/.225/.313, numbers that reflect a hitter struggling to find any sort of rhythm or consistency.
The only real bright spot in that stretch has been his ability to leave the yard on occasion, as evidenced by his three home runs. Beyond that limited power output, however, there is very little in his offensive profile right now that inspires confidence.
MORE: Bryce Miller’s Rehab Progress Faces Another Test For Mariners
What makes matters even more concerning is that the underlying data does not suggest that better days are right around the corner. In fact, Lowe’s advanced batted-ball metrics paint an even bleaker picture than his surface-level statistics. While his bat speed remains one of the few encouraging signs, nearly every other indicator points to a hitter who is not squaring the ball up effectively or generating the kind of contact that leads to sustained success.
For those hoping that his struggles are simply the result of bad luck or small sample size variance, the deeper numbers offer little reassurance. Instead, they suggest that his issues are more fundamental, which naturally raises additional questions about his ability to turn things around quickly.
There is, however, at least some context that could help explain his poor start. Lowe dealt with an oblique injury during spring training, and it is possible that he is still feeling the lingering effects of that issue. Oblique injuries are notoriously tricky for hitters, as they can significantly impact swing mechanics, timing, and overall comfort at the plate.
If Lowe is still compromised physically, that could go a long way toward explaining why he looks so out of sync offensively. That said, this explanation is something of a double-edged sword. While it offers a potential reason for optimism suggesting that improvement could come once he is fully healthy it is also concerning in its own right.
If the injury is still affecting him to this degree, it raises questions about his durability and how long it might take before he is truly back to full strength.
On the other side of the equation, the Angels can at least take some solace in the fact that one of the players they parted with in order to acquire Lowe has not exactly been thriving. Right-handed pitcher Chris Clark, who is currently pitching at the Triple-A level for the Rays organization, has struggled mightily in his own right.
MORE: Braves officially make crucial roster move
Over the course of just 7.1 innings, he has posted an unsightly 7.36 ERA, indicating that he has had a difficult time preventing runs and finding any sort of consistency on the mound. While it is still early and minor league performances can fluctuate significantly, Clark’s struggles help soften the blow of the trade, at least to some extent.
Unfortunately for the Angels, the same cannot be said for the other player they gave up in the deal. Brock Burke’s performance since leaving the organization has been nothing short of outstanding, and his success has only highlighted what the Angels are currently lacking, particularly in their bullpen.
After being dealt to the Reds as part of a three-team trade, Burke has quickly established himself as a reliable, high-leverage arm in Cincinnati. Through his first 12 appearances with his new team, he has posted a sparkling 0.79 ERA along with a 1.91 Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP), numbers that underscore just how effective he has been.
Burke’s emergence as a key bullpen contributor is especially painful for the Angels given their own struggles in that area. Bullpen depth and reliability are critical components of any competitive team, and losing a pitcher who is now thriving in high-pressure situations elsewhere only amplifies the sense of missed opportunity. For Angels fans watching from afar, Burke’s success serves as a frustrating reminder of what could have been, particularly as the team continues to search for stability late in games.
MORE: Disastrous Season Sparks Blockbuster Buzz: Mets Emerge as Top Destination for Astros Superstar
Despite all of this, it is important to remember that there is still plenty of time for Lowe to turn things around. Baseball seasons are long, and early-season struggles, while concerning, do not necessarily define a player’s entire year. If his current issues are indeed tied to his earlier injury, then improved health could lead to a gradual return to form.
Additionally, while Lowe’s overall track record may not be elite, he has consistently demonstrated the ability to be a more productive hitter than what he has shown so far this season. That history provides at least some basis for cautious optimism.
However, the situation is not without its urgency. The Angels did not acquire Lowe simply for him to be a marginal contributor or to hover around replacement-level performance. They need him to be a meaningful part of their lineup, someone who can provide consistent offensive production and help anchor the middle of the order.
More importantly, they need him to be better than he has been not only this season but over the past couple of years as well. The expectations are higher than what he is currently delivering, and the gap between those expectations and his performance is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
At the moment, the overall trajectory is not encouraging. Rather than showing signs of gradual improvement or adjustment, Lowe appears to be trending in the wrong direction, with little in his recent performance to suggest an imminent breakout.
That does not mean a turnaround is impossible far from it but it does mean that the Angels may need to exercise patience while also exploring ways to support him, whether through lineup adjustments, coaching interventions, or simply giving him the time he needs to regain confidence.
MORE: Diamondbacks officially make another room on the roster
In the end, this situation represents a complex mix of short-term frustration and long-term uncertainty. Lowe’s struggles have been severe enough to raise legitimate concerns, both about his current effectiveness and his ability to meet the expectations that came with his acquisition. At the same time, the mixed results of the players involved in the trade add another layer of complexity, making it difficult to fully assess the deal at this stage.
For now, the Angels find themselves in a position where they are hoping for improvement while grappling with the reality of what they are currently getting. Lowe still has the opportunity to change the narrative, but until he begins to show tangible signs of progress, skepticism is likely to remain.
Be the first to comment