Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a pop fly hit by the New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the New York Mets on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws during the first inning of a game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the New York Mets on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Jose Iglesias, left, celebrates next to Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel, right, after hitting a double during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Jose Iglesias, left, scores a run as Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe stands at home plate during the second inning on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Injured Angels star Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Jose Iglesias celebrates after scoring on a single hit by Francisco Alvarez during the second inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Harrison Bader is safe stealing second base before Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme gets the throw in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the New York Mets on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo, right, is safe at second base when Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme gets the throw late in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
- See AlsoKBTX sports director Bruffett to retire after 37 yearsAngels looking to add to (short) list of impactful minor leaguers acquired in dealsEvents | Museum of the Kansas National GuardThe Ten O'Clock News on KTVU FOX 2 : KTVU : August 4, 2024 10:00pm-11:00pm PDT : Free Borrow & Streaming : Internet Archive
New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Angels’ Luis Guillorme, left, prepares to bat after Mickey Moniak, right, scored a run against the New York Mets in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak, left, celebrates with Manager Ron Washington, right, after scoring on a single hit by Jo Adell during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Angels’ Jo Adell steals second base when New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor misses the tag in the second inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, tries to tag the Angels’ Jo Adell who was trying to steal second base during the second inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels starting pitcher Tyler Anderson throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the New York Mets on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso tosses his bat after hitting a two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo, left, congratulates Pete Alonso after his home run against the Angels in the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso celebrates after his two-run home run during the third inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso, right, celebrates his two-run home run with Brandon Nimmo, who also scored, during the third inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels right fielder Mickey Moniak, left, catches a fly ball hit by the New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme, top, attempts to throw out the New York Mets’ Jose Iglesias at first, who was safe, after forcing out Mark Vientos, bottom, during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a pop fly hit by the New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
New York Mets starting pitcher Paul Blackburn throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, center, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, left, and second baseman Jose Iglesias, right, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, left, celebrates with third baseman Mark Vientos, after the final out of the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Harrison Bader, left, runs past Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe to score a run during the sixth inning on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Harrison Bader celebrates after scoring on a single hit by J.D. Martinez during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels third baseman Brandon Drury, left, looks on as shortstop Zach Neto commits an error on a ground ball hit by the New York Mets’ Mark Vientos during the sixth inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor celebrates scoring on a fielding error by Angels shortstop Zach Neto during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Pete Alonso watches his foul ball during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels relief pitcher Jose Marte reacts after being unable to tag out the New York Mets’ Tyrone Taylor on his single during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor lays down a bunt in the sixth inning against the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Francisco Lindor reaches first base on a bunt in the sixth inning against the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
New York Mets relief pitcher Jose Butto throws during the seventh inning of a baseball game Angels, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak reacts after a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
The New York Mets’ Mark Vientos, left, Francisco Alvarez, center, and Pete Alonso celebrate after their 5-1 victory over the Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The New York Mets’ Jose Iglesias, left, and Harrison Bader celebrate after their 5-1 victory over the Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 2, 2024 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
Injured Angels star Mike Trout walks in the dugout before a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Angels shortstop Zach Neto waves to the crowd before a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Injured Angels star Mike Trout sits in the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
1 of 42
Angels second baseman Luis Guillorme catches a pop fly hit by the New York Mets’ Francisco Alvarez during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Aug. 2, 2024, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)
Expand
ANAHEIM — Despite rumors to the contrary, both Tyler Anderson and Luis Rengifo remained with the Angels past the trade deadline on Tuesday.
The Angels’ 5-1 loss to the New York Mets on Friday night illustrated some of the reasons why.
Anderson likely didn’t attract a big prospect return because his peripheral numbers suggested the left-hander might be due for a regression. He gave up three runs in five innings in his first post-deadline start.
And Rengifo was having an impressive season, but for the past month he’s played under a red – or at least yellow – flag because of a wrist injury. Rengifo came out of Friday’s game after two at-bats, both strikeouts, with what the Angels called “wrist irritation.”
Manager Ron Washington said after the game he’s not sure of Rengifo’s status.
“All we know is we had to remove him because of the little flare up,” Washington said. “We’ll just see what the trainers have to say going into tomorrow.”
Rengifo is a 27-year-old switch hitter who can play multiple positions, with a .300 batting average and a year of team control beyond this one. All of that is why many figured the Angels would be able to deal him for some prospect capital that the franchise badly needs.
However, Rengifo just missed three weeks with a wrist injury suffered on July 3. After he returned, he went 3 for 22 in the week before the deadline.
He had a three-hit game hours after the deadline, on Tuesday, but then aggravated the injury on Wednesday. He sat out Thursday’s game, and then got hurt again when he returned to the lineup on Friday.
The Angels now could shop Rengifo again over the winter or at next year’s deadline. Or they could sign him to a contract extension that keeps him around beyond 2025.
As for Anderson, he’d performed brilliantly for the Angels this season, with a 2.96 ERA over 130⅔ innings. Those numbers led many to assume one of the pitching-starved contenders would be willing to give up legitimate talent to get him.
But no offer came that was sufficient for General Manager Perry Minasian to move Anderson.
One reason is that teams value raw stuff and strikeouts when trying to predict a pitcher’s future performance.
The Houston Astros gave up three prospects for Toronto’s Yusei Kikuchi, who had a 4.75 ERA, but a 96 mph fastball and a 26.2% strikeout rate. Anderson’s average fastball is 89 mph and his strikeout rate was 18.6%.
Those numbers suggested he would probably drift more toward his career 4.18 ERA than what he’d been doing with the Angels.
Just as with Rengifo, the Angels could still trade Anderson over the winter. Perhaps then his ability to eat innings would be more valued by a team that might have lost a couple of starters to free agency.
On Friday night, Anderson pitched against the Mets, who were one of the teams that was shopping for a starter. They gave up their No. 26 prospect for right-hander Paul Blackburn, who shared the mound with Anderson in his Mets debut.
Blackburn held the Angels to one run in six innings, while the Mets had an army of baserunners against Anderson. He gave up eight hits and two walks, striking out just two. Two of the runs came on a Pete Alonso homer in the third inning.
All of that actually could have easily added up to more than three runs, but Anderson did well to pitch out of jams. He stranded multiple runners in the first, fourth and fifth innings.
Second baseman Luis Guillorme bailed out Anderson in the fifth with a sensational catch of a pop-up in shallow right field. Guillorme, who had been shaded up the middle, ran 97 feet to make the diving catch.
Washington said he didn’t believe Anderson made many mistakes – other than the Alonso homer – so he credited the Mets for being able to keep putting balls in play.
“They didn’t actually hit him hard all over the place,” Washington said. “The only ball they really centered was the one the first baseman hit out. But in the game of baseball, base hits are base hits. They got things going and they were able to keep it going.”
Anderson agreed with Washington’s assessment: “You make good pitches and they are spoiling them. When they get a bat to them they are finding a hole.”
Originally Published:
