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Los Angeles Angels trade for David Murphy, David DeJesus
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- After a two-day flurry of trades, the Los Angeles Angels have three new veteran outfielders to fill the most glaring hole in their lineup for the stretch run.
The Angels acquired David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians and picked up David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, giving up two low-level prospects in the deals. A day earlier, Los Angeles acquired Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox.
All three veterans will be in the mix to play left field for the Angels, who have struggled mightily at the position all season. Victorino made his first start for the Angels on Tuesday in Houston; Murphy and DeJesus will join the club later this week.
"The results will show up on the field, but I feel a lot better, especially getting some guys that play left field now," Angels interim general manager Bill Stoneman said. "I feel a whole lot better about our chances. We've got some veteran guys that have been there before and know what this battle is about as we go down to the wire."
The acquisitions might mean the end of Matt Joyce's dismal first season with the Angels. Joyce went on the seven-day concussion disabled list Tuesday after colliding with Erick Aybar on Sunday, but he is batting .178 with five homers and 21 RBIs as the regular left fielder.
Stoneman made no announcement about Joyce's future, noting that Joyce will be on the DL at least until next week. Joyce lost consciousness when Aybar's knee hit his chin while they chased a popup in shallow left field in the fourth inning of the Angels' 13-7 victory.
Joyce is in an 0-for-23 slump and is hitless since July 9.
"We're in a pretty good stretch drive, so hopefully with the moves we've made, we won't skip a beat," Stoneman said. "Hopefully when Joyce gets back and he can play, we'll be making another decision at that time."
The Angels sent minor league shortstop Eric Stamets to the Indians and minor league pitcher Eduar Lopez to the Rays in the trades. They also optioned third baseman Kyle Kubitza back to Triple-A Salt Lake and recalled outfielder Efren Navarro on Tuesday.
Murphy is well-known to Angels fans from his long career in Texas, where he played in two World Series. He was batting .296 with five homers and 27 RBIs for the Indians.
DeJesus is joining his sixth team in a six-season stretch after beginning his career with eight years in Kansas City. He was hitting .259 with five homers and 26 RBIs for the Rays.
All three new acquisitions seem to be improved options in left field for manager Mike Scioscia, who watched his offense struggle for three months until the Angels hit their stride in July with a 17-3 run to the top of the AL West.
Josh Hamilton, who had underachieved with the Angels after signing a $125 million deal three seasons ago, was expected to be Los Angeles' left fielder again this season, but owner Arte Moreno got rid of him in April despite having no clear replacement. Joyce, Navarro and Collin Cowgill have struggled in left field, and Cowgill has been out for two months with a sprained right wrist.
Although Stoneman said the Angels will stay active up until the trade deadline, he said he feels confident they have addressed their biggest weakness without giving up anything of significant value. Stoneman is reluctant to part with any top prospects, particularly Sean Newcomb, the 22-year-old left-hander who was the Angels' first-round draft pick in 2014.
"We were involved in a lot of discussions, and you always value what you're giving and what you're getting," Stoneman said. "We get asked about guys, including guys as good as Newcomb. I would never say that there's any player ever that's untouchable, but some players would require a whole lot more back than some others, and Shawn Newcomb would certainly be one of those. ... It was never really our intent to use him in a deal."
The Angels acquired David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians and picked up David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday, giving up two low-level prospects in the deals. A day earlier, Los Angeles acquired Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox.
All three veterans will be in the mix to play left field for the Angels, who have struggled mightily at the position all season. Victorino made his first start for the Angels on Tuesday in Houston; Murphy and DeJesus will join the club later this week.
"The results will show up on the field, but I feel a lot better, especially getting some guys that play left field now," Angels interim general manager Bill Stoneman said. "I feel a whole lot better about our chances. We've got some veteran guys that have been there before and know what this battle is about as we go down to the wire."
The acquisitions might mean the end of Matt Joyce's dismal first season with the Angels. Joyce went on the seven-day concussion disabled list Tuesday after colliding with Erick Aybar on Sunday, but he is batting .178 with five homers and 21 RBIs as the regular left fielder.
Stoneman made no announcement about Joyce's future, noting that Joyce will be on the DL at least until next week. Joyce lost consciousness when Aybar's knee hit his chin while they chased a popup in shallow left field in the fourth inning of the Angels' 13-7 victory.
Joyce is in an 0-for-23 slump and is hitless since July 9.
"We're in a pretty good stretch drive, so hopefully with the moves we've made, we won't skip a beat," Stoneman said. "Hopefully when Joyce gets back and he can play, we'll be making another decision at that time."
The Angels sent minor league shortstop Eric Stamets to the Indians and minor league pitcher Eduar Lopez to the Rays in the trades. They also optioned third baseman Kyle Kubitza back to Triple-A Salt Lake and recalled outfielder Efren Navarro on Tuesday.
Murphy is well-known to Angels fans from his long career in Texas, where he played in two World Series. He was batting .296 with five homers and 27 RBIs for the Indians.
DeJesus is joining his sixth team in a six-season stretch after beginning his career with eight years in Kansas City. He was hitting .259 with five homers and 26 RBIs for the Rays.
All three new acquisitions seem to be improved options in left field for manager Mike Scioscia, who watched his offense struggle for three months until the Angels hit their stride in July with a 17-3 run to the top of the AL West.
Josh Hamilton, who had underachieved with the Angels after signing a $125 million deal three seasons ago, was expected to be Los Angeles' left fielder again this season, but owner Arte Moreno got rid of him in April despite having no clear replacement. Joyce, Navarro and Collin Cowgill have struggled in left field, and Cowgill has been out for two months with a sprained right wrist.
Although Stoneman said the Angels will stay active up until the trade deadline, he said he feels confident they have addressed their biggest weakness without giving up anything of significant value. Stoneman is reluctant to part with any top prospects, particularly Sean Newcomb, the 22-year-old left-hander who was the Angels' first-round draft pick in 2014.
"We were involved in a lot of discussions, and you always value what you're giving and what you're getting," Stoneman said. "We get asked about guys, including guys as good as Newcomb. I would never say that there's any player ever that's untouchable, but some players would require a whole lot more back than some others, and Shawn Newcomb would certainly be one of those. ... It was never really our intent to use him in a deal."