The Los Angeles Angels have been surging. Having won six straight games, they sit just five games back of first place in the American League West, and three games back of a Wild Card spot. LA has done all of this with superstar outfielder Mike Trout on the injured list.
One team Los Angeles trails in the AL Wild Card race is the Boston Red Sox. Sitting at 25-26, Boston is a half-game better than the 23-25 Angels. On Thursday, these two teams announced a trade that will be especially impactful for the Red Sox as they navigate their Rafael Devers situation.
Boston Red Sox designated hitter Rafael Devers (11)Tim Heitman-Imagn Images
Following the season-ending left patellar tendon injury to Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas, the team asked Devers to move to first base. The three-time All-Star third baseman declined, leaving Boston searching for answers at that position (via MLB on Fox).
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Amid this news, the Red Sox announced on Thursday they had acquired first baseman Ryan Noda from the Angels.
Noda was designated for assignment by the Angels, and had yet to appear in a game for them this season. In his two-year MLB career, the left-handed first baseman owns a 104 OPS+ in 501 at-bats.
The Angels also announced this move on their end (via Angels PR), revealing they had received cash considerations from Boston in exchange for Noda. While he has limited MLB experience, Noda will provide organizational depth at a position of need for Boston, especially since it seems Devers will not be taking any reps at first.
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Red Sox Announce Trade With Angels After Rafael Devers News first appeared on Athlon Sports on May 22, 2025