Angels News: Halos Hold Onto One Player as Waivers Clear Out Roster

The Angels lost five payers on Thursday.

The Angels made some real noise this week with their decision to offload a host of talented players via the waiver wire.

Unsurprisingly, many of these guys got scooped up immediately. Both SP Lucas Giolito and RP Reynaldo Lopez were claimed on waivers by the Cleveland Guardians. This comes after both were acquired semi-recently from the White Sox for a postseason run which never came to fruition. 

OF Hunter Renfroe was reportedly picked up by the Cincinnati Reds. RP Dominic Leone was poached off the waiver wire by the Seattle Mariners, and fellow reliever Matt Moore is now headed to Cleveland -- joining Giolito and Lopez. 

One guy staying put with the Halos? OF Randal Grichuk. 

Outfielder Randal Grichuk was not claimed on waivers.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2023

As has been reported by multiple outlets, Grichuk was not claimed by any team off waivers -- thus paving the way for him to return to the Angels. 

Grichuk was in the midst of a very good year in Colorado when the Angels decided to acquire him a month ago at the trade deadline. 

Since coming to LA, Grichuk's numbers have dipped considerably. Whether it's leaving the comfy confines of Coors Field -- or facing somewhat foreign pitching in a new league -- Grichuk has been a bit of a disappointment. 

None of this confirmed yet by the teams, but here’s what has been reported

Giolito, Moore, López: Cleveland
Renfroe: Cincinnati
Leone: Seattle
Grichuk: unclaimed

The Angels will save around $5.7 million

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) August 31, 2023

Grichuk was hitting .308 when the trade was made on July 30th. Since joining the Halos, he's hitting a putrid .168 with 4 HRs in 101 at-bats. The 32-year-old is in the final year of a 5-year/$52 million deal (originally signed with the Blue Jays). 

Based upon the decision to list Grichuk on waivers, it'd be a surprise if the Angels opted to bring Grichuk back on a new deal next season.