Cubs may have gotten unexpected trade deadline boost from Angels-Rangers deal

The Los Angeles Angels aren't exactly well-respected throughout the league, and their trade with the division-rival Texas Rangers will do little to improve their standing. But it could open the door to the trade deadline moves the Chicago Cubs desperately need to make.

In case you missed it, the Angels sent catcher Logan O'Hoppe and reliever Chase Silseth to the Rangers in exchange for infield prospect Angel Arredondo, a little-known talent. The move was widely labeled a bust for Los Angeles, which has several other controllable pieces that could be of interest to Jed Hoyer, most notably starting pitchers Jose Soriano and Reid Detmers.

Chicago has been connected to both pitchers recently, but Detmers seems to be the name of particular interest. The southpaw is one of the most talked-about names on the trade market and will likely come with a lofty price tag. Given he's under arbitration control through 2028, an asking price of two top-100 prospects isn't out of the question (although, looking at the Angels' return in Wednesday's trade with Texas, who knows what they'd look for).

Reid Detmers, Jose Soriano find success in very different ways

Detmers does something few Cubs pitchers do: misses bats - a valuable commodity in today's game. If Hoyer can add Detmers and another starter to the mix, while finding some sort of late-inning answer so we can avoid more colossal meltdowns as we saw in St. Louis Wednesday night, Chicago is well-positioned to, if not make a run at the Brewers in the division, cement itself as a real threat come October.

Soriano, also controllable via arbitration through 2028, brings high velocity, wipeout breaking stuff and a well-above-average groundball rate from the right side. There are more concerns about control with the right-hander, but the upside is undeniable. I can see why the Cubs might prefer Detmers (easier to project given his arsenal), but make no mistake, the rotation would be vastly improved with either Angels hurler coming over at the trade deadline.

Wednesday's late-night trade sent a clear message to the league: the Angels and interim GM John Mozeliak are open for business. Can Hoyer and the Cubs put together the pieces to get their controllable arm? We'll have our answer in a matter of days.

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