The Angels traded left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers to the Chicago Cubs on Monday ahead of the MLB trade deadline.
The Angels received three prospects in return: infielder Jefferson Rojas (the Cubs’ No. 2 overall prospect), right-handed pitcher Dominick Reid (the Cubs’ No. 13 overall prospect), and right-handed pitcher Mason McGwire, (Chicago’s No. 18 overall prospect).
Detmers had a 3-7 record with a 4.03 ERA and 145 strikeouts for the Angels this season. He made his debut with Los Angeles in 2021, one year after the Angels selected him with the No. 10 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. His career stats for the Angels were 24-38 with a 4.61 ERA and 643 strikeouts in 574.1 innings pitched.
The biggest moment of Detmers’ career by far is when he threw a no-hitter against the Rays in what was just his 11th major league start. It was the 12th no-hitter in Angels franchise history.
USA Today’s Bob Nightengale made an interesting claim regarding Detmers’ potential trade value in June, writing, “If the Angels changed their mind and made Detmers available, they could demand a package greater than the one the Tigers will receive for two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal.
“He not only has two more years of control than Skubal, but is earning just $2.7 million,” Nightengale added.
Fans can decide whether the return for Detmers dwarfs what the crosstown Dodgers received for Skubal. Nightengale’s point was that since Skubal is a free agent after this offseason, the fact that Detmers is under arbitration control through the 2028 season made him an appealing trade target.
What’s for sure is that landing three top-20 organizational prospects, including the Cubs’ No. 2 overall prospect, is a solid haul for Detmers.
The 27-year-old Detmers’ final appearance for the Angels was July 28, when he gave up two earned runs in five innings against the Astros.
