Angels Rebuild Proposal Would Send Schanuel to Arizona

A proposed trade would send Angels first baseman Nolan Schanuel to the Diamondbacks for infielder Kayson Cunningham and left-hander Mitch Bratt, as Los Angeles considers a deeper rebuild.
The proposed deal would give the Angels two young players in exchange for Schanuel, a former first-round pick whose plate discipline and contact ability could appeal to Arizona. The suggestion comes as Los Angeles faces a decision about whether to commit to rebuilding under its new ownership group. The proposal is not described as a completed trade.
Cunningham, the suggested centerpiece, is a high-school infielder selected in the 2025 draft who played at High-A last year. He is viewed as a potential top-of-the-order hitter, with speed, hitting ability and the possibility of staying at shortstop or moving to second base. The proposal argues that he could join other young Angels infielders to strengthen the club’s developing talent pool.
Bratt would add a left-handed pitching option. He has recorded a 1.159 WHIP over 443.1 minor-league innings, including a 1.143 mark in 63 Pacific Coast League innings. The proposal describes him as a command-oriented pitcher who could become a dependable starter, rather than relying on high velocity.
The case for moving Schanuel is that his steady hitting may have more immediate value to a contender than to a rebuilding team, while Arizona could use his profile. For the Angels, the suggested return would add both position-player potential and pitching depth, potentially easing pressure on other developing pitchers. The argument is that giving up a reliable major leaguer could help Los Angeles build for the longer term.
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