Angels place 5 players, including a star pitcher, on waivers as playoff picture takes shape

The Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday made an unusual roster alteration. They chose to place five players -- including newly-acquired right-handed pitcher Lucas Giolito -- on waivers, to be claimed by another team for nothing before the end of the month.

The Angels' choice to cut ties with these players -- specifically Giolito, reliever Matt Moore, and outfielder Hunter Renfroe -- could prove transformational in the playoff race around Major League Baseball. If further shows that Los Angeles is throwing in the towel on the 2023 season after a brief flirtation with a wild card spot.

Explaining the Angels' strange move

The Angels' biggest decision this winter centers on Shohei Ohtani. The two-way superstar is unable to pitch again in 2023 after he suffered an elbow injury earlier this month, but he is still in line for the biggest contract in baseball history when he hits free agency after the season.

Knowing that, at 63-69, they are unlikely to even finish above .500 this season, Los Angeles might be motivated to save some money in the meantime and crawl back under MLB's luxury tax threshold. By waiving these five players, the Angels will save millions, though many fans and analysts will question the wisdom of letting assets like Giolito and Moore leave without receiving prospects to replenish a barren farm system in return.

Giolito, Moore sure to attract attention

Giolito, an All-Star in 2019, was traded to Los Angeles from the Chicago White Sox last month as the Angels attempted to make a playoff push. But the 29-year-old has lost five of his six starts since moving west, posting a miserable 6.89 ERA in the process. Right-handed reliever Reynaldo Lopez, also acquired in the Chicago trade, has pitched to a 2.31 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 11 2/3 innings since changing teams, and he too could be in demand.

Renfroe, a veteran outfielder, has hit 18 home runs this season -- his first with the Angels -- tying him for the team lead. He played in the 2020 World Series with the Tampa Bay Rays, as well as the 2021 American League Championship Series with the Boston Red Sox.

Left-handed reliever Moore, a former 17-game winner with the Rays, has been the Angels' most effective reliever this season, pitching to a 2.30 ERA in 43 innings pitched. Contending teams are always in search of reliable left-handed pitching for the playoffs, so competition to acquire the 34-year-old could be fierce.