The Los Angeles Angels have been linked to a number of high-profile outfielders in trade rumors, but their acquisitions this week have not fulfilled the speculation.
After working out a deal with the Boston Red Sox to land Shane Victorino on Monday, the Angels landed outfielder David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, and David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays, according to the Rays' official Twitter account, on Tuesday.
DiGiovanna also noted the Indians would be getting shortstop prospect Eric Stamets in the deal while the Rays made it known they were acquiring prospect right-hander Eduar Lopez.
The #Angels have acquired OF David Murphy from Cleveland in exchange for INF Eric Stamets.
— Angels (@Angels) July 29, 2015
The #Rays have acquired minor league RHP Eduar Lopez from the @Angels for OF David DeJesus.
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) July 28, 2015
Murphy and DeJesus will provide much-needed help in the outfield as well as at the designated hitter spot for the Angels, who were exploring the market for left-handed outfield bats.
"Murphy will presumably join Shane Victorino in a left-field platoon and DeJesus will likely slide into a part-time role at DH," writes Drew Silva of NBC Sports' HardballTalk. "Some solid incremental upgrades by Angels GM Bill Stoneman."
Murphy is batting .296/.344/.437 with 22 runs scored, 5 home runs and 27 RBIs in 84 games (229 plate appearances) and DeJesus is slashing .259/.323/.375 with 24 runs scored, 5 home runs and 26 RBIs in 82 games (257 plate appearances).
As for the players that left Los Angeles, Stamets has played the entire year at Double-A Arkansas and Lopez made all of his starts in the organization's rookie league. Stamets, 23, is batting .248/.306/.360 with 17 runs scored, 3 home runs, 23 RBIs and 5 stolen bases in 62 games while Lopez is 2-2 with a 4.32 ERA, 1.65 WHIP and 33 strikeouts in eight starts (33 1/3 innings).
The Angels could also be on the lookout for upgrades to their starting rotation, bullpen and infield, so there's a chance the team can strike another deal or two before Friday at 4:00 p.m. ET.
