The Los Angeles Angels continued reshaping their roster ahead of the MLB trade deadline under interim general manager John Mozeliak, reportedly trading outfielder to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for catching prospect Jacob Cozart, according to ESPN sources on Monday.
Adell, who remains under team control through the 2027 season, becomes the fourth controllable player the Angels have dealt during Mozeliak’s roster overhaul. Earlier moves included sending reliever Chase Silseth and catcher Logan O’Hoppe to the Texas Rangers, while right-handed starter Jose Soriano was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays. The club also parted ways with veteran reliever Brent Suter, who was shipped to the Atlanta Braves as he approaches free agency.
Los Angeles may not be done making moves before the trade deadline. The organization has reportedly received significant interest in shortstop Zach Neto, who is under club control through 2029, as well as starting pitcher Reid Detmers, who remains controllable through 2028. Both players could still be moved before the 6 p.m. PT deadline as the Angels continue evaluating trade opportunities.
Jo Adell entered professional baseball with enormous expectations after being selected with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft out of high school. Regarded as a player with elite upside, Adell’s path to the majors proved more challenging than anticipated. During his first five seasons in the big leagues from 2020 through 2024, he struggled to consistently produce at the plate while also dealing with defensive miscues and occasional baserunning mistakes. Over 308 games in that span, he posted a .211/.268/.381 slash line and accumulated a minus-7 Baseball-Reference WAR.
The talented outfielder finally appeared to put everything together in 2025, delivering the best season of his career. Adell hit 37 home runs, drove in 98 runs, and finished with a solid .778 OPS, giving the Angels hope he had developed into a cornerstone player.
However, his 2026 campaign has been far less consistent. Through 456 plate appearances, Adell is batting .239 with a .287 on-base percentage and a .395 slugging percentage. He has struck out 108 times while drawing only 16 walks, highlighting the plate discipline issues that have continued to affect his game. His season has also featured both spectacular and unfortunate defensive moments, including a remarkable game in which he robbed three home runs and another in which a fly ball ricocheted off his head and over the fence for a home run.
For the Cleveland Guardians, the trade represents an opportunity to unlock Adell’s considerable talent. At just 27 years old, he is expected to compete for the everyday right field job and could still develop into the impact player scouts envisioned when he was drafted.
Heading to the Angels is catcher Jacob Cozart, Cleveland’s second-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft out of NC State. Ranked by MLB Pipeline as the Guardians’ No. 18 prospect, Cozart is known primarily for his defensive abilities behind the plate. Offensively, he was hitting .239/.330/.384 at Double-A before the trade, and the Angels will hope his strong defensive foundation and developing bat make him a key part of their future.
