Los Angeles Angels’ Zach Neto (9) is greeted by teammates after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Monday, April 6, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (Image via AP Photo)
The Los Angeles Angels have started the 2026 season with a 6-7 record. They are tied for second place in the AL West. The record is not great, but one player has stood out.José Soriano has been the team’s best performer so far. The 27-year-old pitcher has been very sharp in his first four starts.
He has a 0.33 ERA and has allowed only one earned run in 27 innings.He has also struck out 31 batters and has a 0.67 WHIP. His form has been so good that many are comparing it to Cy Young-level pitching.
Clear Improvement in José Soriano’s Game
José Soriano has shown big progress compared to past seasons. In 2025, he had 152 strikeouts in 169 innings. This year, he already has 31 strikeouts in just 27 innings.His strikeout rate has gone up, and he is giving up less contact.
In earlier seasons, his ERA stayed around the mid-3 range and his WHIP was higher. Now, both numbers have improved a lot.
Team Situation Behind Trade Talk
The Los Angeles Angels still have experienced players like Mike Trout. They also have young players like Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel. Their pitching group includes Reid Detmers, Yusei Kikuchi, Jack Kochanowicz, and George Klassen. Soriano has been leading this rotation.
Los Angeles Angels José Soriano (Image via Getty)
Even with this group, the team still has concerns about the future.
Their farm system is not very strong. Because of this, there is talk that the Angels could trade Soriano while his value is high.
Why José Soriano Is Valuable in the Market
Soriano is under team control until 2028. He also signed a $2.9 million deal for the 2026 season. This makes him both affordable and valuable.Teams that want pitching help may show interest. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are possible options.A trade could bring back top prospects. Names like Roman Anthony and Kyle Teel have been mentioned in possible deals.
What Both Sides Get
If the Los Angeles Angels trade him, they could:• Add strong young players to their system• Save money for other needs• Build a younger team for the futureBut they would also lose a top pitcher. That could hurt them now and upset fans.
For a team that trades for him:
• They get a strong starting pitcher right away• They get him at a low cost• They keep him under control for several yearsBut they would have to give up good prospects. There is also a risk that Soriano may not keep this level.
Performance Table
| Season | W-L | ERA | IP | SO | WHIP | K/9 |
| 2024 | 6-7 | 3.42 | 113 | 97 | 1.20 | 7.7 |
| 2025 | 10-11 | 4.26 | 169 | 152 | 1.40 | 8.1 |
| 2026 | 4-0 | 0.33 | 27 | 31 | 0.67 | 9.3 |
My Final Thought on this proposed José Soriano trade rumor
The Los Angeles Angels have an important choice to make. They can keep Soriano and build around him, or trade him and focus on the future.Also read: MLB trade rumors: Miami Marlins could put $56 million superstar on trade block following dominant start to 2026 seasonRight now, his value is very high. What they decide could affect the team for many years.
