If the Angels hope to avoid a sell-off at the MLB trade deadline, they essentially need to sweep the Texas Rangers to prove they’re still in the mix for an AL Wild Card spot. In the opener of the crucial series, Taylor Ward belted his 25th home run of the season, tying him for ninth-most in the majors.
Those in favor of a deadline fire sale were likely hoping scouts from other teams noticed Ward’s display of power. But fans — and teammates — rooting for the Angels to keep competing were instead hoping that his homer, along with back-to-back wins on Monday and Tuesday, will persuade owner Arte Moreno and GM Perry Minasian to keep Ward in the fold past the deadline.
Angels’ top trade asset publicly pleads for the team to not trade him before deadline
Taylor Ward on the trade deadline:
"All I know is I want to stay here. I want to win with these boys."
— Sam Blum (@SamBlum3) July 29, 2025
Taylor Ward made his feelings clear ahead of the trade deadline: he wants to stay with the Angels.
“All I know is I want to stay here. I want to win with these boys,” Ward told reporter Sam Blum on July 29. Speaking further with Baseball America‘s Taylor Blake Ward, he added, “I would love to spend the rest of my career here… I understand this is a business and Perry [Minasian] has to do what’s best for the club. I hope me staying here is best for the club.”
A former first-round pick in 2015, Ward was originally developed as a catcher before transitioning to the outfield. Since then, he’s become one of the most productive hitters in the Angels’ system. From 2022 to 2025, Ward and Mike Trout are tied for the team lead with 87 home runs. Ward leads the team outright in hits, RBIs, and runs scored during that span, demonstrating both durability and impact. Aside from Trout, he is the team’s longest-tenured player.
Ward has always been a team-first presence in the clubhouse, even calling young catcher Logan O’Hoppe the team’s leader last season despite O’Hoppe’s relatively short time with the organization. Ward’s desire to finish the season with the team that drafted and developed him comes as no surprise — it’s consistent with his character.
But Ward’s performance is often a reflection of the team’s fortunes — a fact that cuts both ways. Known for streaky stretches, Ward’s inconsistency has, at times, mirrored the franchise’s own struggles. While his highs are valuable, the lows contribute to the Angels’ ongoing playoff drought — the longest in MLB.
Still, with emerging talent like O’Hoppe, Zach Neto, Nolan Schanuel, Jo Adell, and a resurgent Trout, the Angels don’t need Ward to carry the load to stay competitive. And yet, the 31-year-old is putting together a strong season. Though his game has flaws — including a high strikeout rate, limited range and arm strength in the outfield, and subpar baserunning — he remains one of the Angels’ top trade assets. Depending on how rival teams value Adell, Ward may be their most appealing chip at the deadline.
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