The Los Angeles Angels are on fire, riding a seven-game winning streak that’s got them sitting just 4.5 games back of first place in the AL West and a tight 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot. This is the kind of run that makes you sit up and take notice, especially since they’re doing it without their superstar outfielder, Mike Trout, who’s been sidelined with a bone bruise in his left knee. But even as the Halos keep stacking wins, they’re making moves off the field, and their latest one—a trade with the Boston Red Sox—has ripples for both teams in the thick of the AL wild-card race.
At 24-25, the Angels are neck-and-neck with the 25-26 Red Sox, both scrapping for a postseason berth. On Thursday, the two clubs pulled off a deal that’s got Boston fans buzzing, especially as the Red Sox grapple with a tricky situation at first base. With Triston Casas out for the season due to a torn left patellar tendon, Boston turned to their three-time All-Star third baseman, Rafael Devers, to fill the gap. Devers, though, wasn’t having it, flat-out declining to shift from third to first, leaving the Sox scrambling for a solution. Enter Ryan Noda, the left-handed first baseman Boston acquired from the Angels for cash considerations.
Noda, who was designated for assignment by the Angels to make room for pitcher Hunter Strickland, hasn’t played a big-league game for L.A. this season. But don’t sleep on him—he’s got a solid track record, posting a 104 OPS+ over 501 at-bats in his two-year MLB career, mostly with the Oakland Athletics. That’s above-average production from a guy who can play first base and even slide into the outfield if needed. For Boston, Noda’s not a headline-grabbing star, but he’s a smart pickup—a depth piece who can step in at a position of need while Devers stays put at third. With Casas out and Devers holding firm, Noda’s versatility could be a quiet game-changer for a Red Sox team fighting to stay in the wild-card hunt.
For the Angels, this trade is a small but savvy move. They’re red-hot, with guys like Logan O’Hoppe and Taylor Ward powering the lineup, and they didn’t need Noda clogging up their roster when he wasn’t cracking the big-league lineup. Cash considerations might not sound sexy, but it’s a chance for L.A. to keep their focus on the core group that’s driving this surge. Plus, with Trout nearing a return, the Angels are banking on their momentum to carry them closer to that wild-card spot—or maybe even a run at the division crown.
Both teams are in a dogfight for October, and this trade shows how they’re playing the margins to gain an edge. For Boston, Noda’s a practical fix to a glaring problem, giving them flexibility without forcing Devers out of his comfort zone. For the Angels, it’s about streamlining a roster that’s clicking at just the right time. As the wild-card race heats up, these are the kinds of moves that can make or break a season. Keep an eye on how Noda settles in with the Sox and whether the Halos keep their foot on the gas—because this AL playoff chase is only getting wilder.
