What to expect at MLB trade deadline
USAT’s Bob Nightengale gives insight on possibilities to expect before this year’s MLB trade deadline on August 3rd.
Sports Pulse
José Soriano had the starting nod for the Los Angeles Angels in Saturday’s lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers on August 1. Now, he’s listed as a scratch.
Soriano has had his name swirl around discussions and trade rumors ahead of the MLB trade deadline, which is scheduled for Monday, August 3 at 6 p.m. ET and 3 p.m. PT.
Starting in place of Soriano is 36-year-old right-hand pitcher Brent Suter.
Soriano has put up a 9-6 record with a 3.29 ERA and 127 strikeouts. He’s also tallied a 1.25 WHIP in 123 innings pitched. The 27-year-old, right-handed pitcher has appeared in and started 22 games for the Angels.
The Angels released the following statement on Saturday:
The last time Soriano pitched against the Brewers was during the 2025 season. On September 17, he pitched 1.1 innings where he allowed two hits, two walks and three runs in a 9-2 loss. He did not deliver any strikeouts during the September 2025 meeting at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
Soriano becoming a last-minute decision scratch causes speculation on his future in Southern California. It’s because there isn’t a player on the Angels that’s safe from being included in a trade package, Soriano included.
Angels interim president of baseball operations John Mozeliak told USA TODAY Sports that the team will be “open-minded” in the coming days prior to the MLB trade deadline.
“We are open-minded to anything,” Mozeliak said. “Our message to the fans is that change has to happen. We need to do some things differently.”
One of those different approaches is not hanging on the allure of players. USA TODAY Sports baseball columnist Bob Nightengale reported that the Angels are “open for business”, ready and willing to shop players including Soriano, Reid Detmers and outfielder Jo Adell.
The only Angels player that would be off limits is Zach Neto, unless an offer is put up that Los Angeles could not refuse. Despite the talks, the Angels are also perfectly content with not making any moves if it doesn’t best fit their vision.
“We are not at the point of making a decision yet,’’ Mozeliak said. “But time is on our side. The fact is that we have control; we don’t have to make a bad deal.’’
Jose Soriano stats and record
Soriano is on pace for a career-best 3.29 ERA. In his last outing against the San Francisco Giants, he helped the Angels to a narrow 4-3 victory, where Soriano pitched five innings at Oracle Park.
On the mound, he put in work against one of the five California-based MLB teams. Soriano wasn’t perfect but nevertheless put on a good pitching display that contributed in getting the job done.
He only gave up three hits and allowed one run in his July 26 performance. Soriano struck out five batters and only three were walked in 85 total pitches.
Soriano first signed with the Angels as an international free agent for a $70,000 signing bonus on March 4, 2016. He had quite the journey that took him from his home in the Dominican Republic to Arizona to Iowa. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Soriano from the Angels in the 2020 Rule 5 draft. He spent time in Florida before the Pirates sent him back to the Angels in 2021.
Soriano rehabbed from injury and continued to develop under the Angels’ farm system until he got his break in 2023. He made his MLB debut on June 3, 2023 when the Angels promoted Soriano to the majors. It was the first time he was called up in his career, and he didn’t look back.
In 38 appearances out of the bullpen during his rookie campaign, he threw a 3.64 ERA with 56 strikeouts over 42 innings of work.
Soriano, now in his fourth-year in the MLB, looks to improve upon his recent outings. However, it will be interesting to see whether he remains with the Angels as movement around the league is anticipated in light of the trade deadline.
In the meantime, Suter and the Angels will take on the Brewers at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, CA beginning at 9:38 p.m. ET and 6:38 p.m. PT.
The Angels currently have a 42-68 record and are in fifth place in the American League West division. The Brewers are 68-41, sitting atop the National League Central with the best record.