Reid Detmers Trade Buzz Is Growing, But There's One Problem
The MLB trade deadline is still six weeks away, but teams are already beginning to explore the market for available pitching.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, teams have already contacted Los Angeles Angels general manager Perry Minasian to inquire about starter Reid Detmers.
Starting pitching is expected to be one of the most sought-after commodities at the deadline, and Detmers has quickly emerged as one of the more intriguing names available.
However, Nightengale also poured cold water on the idea of a trade. The Angels have a long history of holding onto their star players, even when rival clubs come calling.
Detmers is in his sixth season with Los Angeles and has finally started to put all the pieces together. The 26-year-old owns a 3-5 record with a 3.68 ERA across 88 innings. He has struck out 100 batters while posting a 1.00 WHIP.
His recent stretch has been even more impressive. Over his last three starts against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, and Arizona Diamondbacks, Detmers allowed one earned run over 20 innings. He also surrendered just six hits and struck out 18 batters.
The only Angels pitchers to have 100+ K's and fewer than 25 BB through their first 15 starts of the season:
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) June 17, 2026
2010 Jered Weaver (5th in Cy Young)
2022 Shohei Ohtani (4th in Cy Young)
2026 Reid Detmers
After spending last year in the bullpen, Detmers is thriving as a starter! pic.twitter.com/5vU0W5VELN
Detmers first made national headlines in 2022 when he threw a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays during his rookie season. After spending much of last year in the bullpen, he has reestablished himself as a key piece of the Angels' rotation.
His value extends beyond this season. Detmers remains under team control through 2028 and will not reach free agency until 2029. That combination of production, age, and affordability would make him an expensive acquisition for any contender.
Still, the Angels appear reluctant to move him. After all, this is the same organization that refused to trade Shohei Ohtani despite receiving significant interest before he reached free agency. The Angels have also quickly shut down any speculation involving Mike Trout over the years.
In fairness to Minasian, keeping Detmers makes sense. One reason the Angels have struggled for so long is their inability to develop and retain frontline pitching. Detmers gives them a young left-hander they can build around.
He also pairs with Jose Soriano, who enjoyed a breakout start to the season and remains one of the club's most promising arms. With those two atop the rotation, the Angels can at least dream about competing as soon as next season.
Of course, strange things happen at the trade deadline. If a contender becomes desperate enough, perhaps someone will make an offer the Angels simply cannot refuse.
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This story was originally published June 18, 2026 at 3:51 PM.