The Los Angeles Angels are rumored to have interest in Cincinnati Reds right fielder Jay Bruce. Currently, the Angels have been using Kole Calhoun or Erick Aybar to protect Albert Pujols, which can’t continue into the playoffs. The Angels need a left-handed hitter with some pop who can give the proper protection to Pujols and Mike Trout.

The Angels rank as the fifth-worst offense in the American League with 372 runs scored. If the team is going to fulfill all of its goals for the 2015 MLB season, they have to find a way to produce more offensively. With the Angels’ depleted farm system, the only way to improve is to find help from outside the organization. Interim general manager Bill Stoneman meets his first big challenge since taking over for the recently resigned Jerry DiPoto. It’s what he does at the 2015 MLB trade deadline that will determine whether he will be a serious candidate to take the full-time job.

While Bruce is coming off of the worst season of his career, he’s put up some solid numbers in 2015. Bruce is batting .252 with a .338 OBP, 14 home runs and 46 RBIs for the struggling Reds, and a trade could do the 28-year-old a tremendous amount of good.

The Houston Astros aren’t going away in the AL West, so it’s up to Stoneman to produce the best roster that he possibly can for the Angels down the stretch. The Astros are going hard at Johnny Cueto and possibly more starting pitching. If the Angels want to hold them off, the lineup needs reinforcements, and a trade for Bruce would be a great place to start.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.