The Los Angeles Angels have quite a star studded rotation, and a lineup that features the current best hitter in baseball in Mike Trout, and the best hitter of the previous 10 years in Albert Pujols.
Still, Los Angeles has been linked in trade rumors to players like Cole Hamels and Zack Greinle, despite having a rotation that features Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson, Ervin Santana and Dan Haren.
According to an ESPN Los Angeles report, Haren and Santana's success in their next starts could dictate how active the Angels are at the trade deadline.
Angels manager Mike Scioscia confirmed Friday that Dan Haren will come off the 15-day disabled list Sunday to pitch against the first-place Texas Rangers.
That means that Haren will follow Ervin Santana in the Angels' rotation, which is appropriate since those two pitchers could dictate not only the course of this season, but how the front office approaches the July 31 trade deadline. It would be a lot easier to stand pat with the current 25-man roster -- and hold onto speedy outfielder Peter Bourjos -- if both guys show signs of turning around disappointing seasons.
Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said, however, that he won't let one or two starts from the veteran right-handers dictate how he approaches trade talks.
"To allow one start or one week to dictate how you act or react isn't very prudent," Dipoto said.
Of course, one or two starts won't force Dipoto's hand, but both Haren and Santana have struggled mightily this season for the Angels. If both fall flat on their face against the Rangers this weekend, and in their next start later this week, then the Angels will probably be more aggressive at the trade deadline.