ANAHEIM, Calif. — As the MLB Trade Deadline approaches, the Angels front office brass continues internal meetings to decide whether to sell or buy before the clock hits 3pm PT on Thursday.

One Angels player in particular hopes he is not moved despite persistent rumors of activity.

“I would love (to spend the rest of my career here),” Angels outfielder Taylor Ward said on Tuesday afternoon.

Ward, 31, is just over 10 years removed from being selected 26th overall by the Angels, and in the midst of year eight with the big league club.

A third of his lifetime spent with one employer, something that has brought comfort to him and his family.

“Of course, (my wife and I) have speculated on things,” Ward said about potentially being traded. “I think this is by far the best scenario for me and my family. She grew up 25 minutes away from here and we stay in the house she grew up in with her parents. We have two kids now and it’s great having grandma and grandpa around to help us with them, so, I mean, this is by far the best scenario.”

With the trade market crowded with pitchers, hitters like Ward — who has a 118 OPS+ and career-high 25 home runs — may come at a premium price for buyers on the market.

While Eugenio Suarez (Arizona Diamondbacks) and Ryan O’Hearn (Baltimore Orioles) are at the top of the hitters trade market, both are infielders.

Teams looking for offensive help from the outfield group could look to Jarren Duran (Boston Red Sox) or Steven Kwan (Cleveland Guardians), but both of those players are on teams solidified in the wildcard and/or playoff chase. 

Ward and the Angels are on the outskirts, entering Tuesday night 4.5 games back of any playoff spot and well out of the AL West division race.

With contract control through the 2026 season, Ward has near top of the market value, though would much rather stay with the Angels; who he believes still has a chance at meaningful baseball in October.

“If we could win, get to the playoffs and push, it’d just be the cherry on top of everything,” Ward said.

Despite no desire of moving clubs, Ward has been able to keep any potential distractions away from his play. From June 29 to July 28 — a 25-game span — Ward held a .302/.387/.563 slash line with five home runs and 22 runs batted in.

“I think for the most part (the team has) been handling it well,” Angels interim manager Ray Montgomery said. “It can be a grind because in the blink of a phone call or a discussion that happens upstairs, they’re going to be packing their stuff potentially and going to another city and another team with their families… The details are what makes it hard. It wears on you.”

Though the clock ticks towards midnight, or, in this scenario, 3pm PT on Thursday, the balance between understanding a business decision and a personal desire to finish what was started a decade prior.

“I understand this is a business and Perry (Minasian) has to do what is best for the club,” Ward said. “I hope me staying is best for the club.”