The Angels have acquired 28-year old switch hitting 1B Mark Teixeira from the Braves for 25-year old lefty swinging 1b Casey Kotchman and 24-year old righty reliever Stephen Marek. Getting Teixeira will make the Angels’ lineup lethal as teams will not be able to pitch around Vladimir Guerrero any more. Teixeira has played in 103 games for the Braves this season and he is 108 for 381 (.283 avg, .902 OPS) with 63 runs scored, 20 homers and 78 RBIs. Teixeira had a huge 2nd half of the season for the Braves last year and the Angels are banking on him doing that for them this season. He has now played in 850 games in his major league career and he is 920 for 3,221 (.286 avg, .909 OPS) with 527 runs scored, 190 homers and 633 RBIs. This was a good move for the Angels who have acquired the best hitter on the trade market and he helps against both righties and lefties.

25-year old Casey Kotchman has developed into a really good player for the Angels but you have to give up something to get something. The lefty swinging Kotchman played in 100 games for the Angels this season and he was 107 for 373 (.287 avg, .775 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 12 homers and 54 RBIs. Kotchman was also a great contact hitter this season as he only whiffed 23 times for the Angels this season. The Angels might also miss his mitt a little bit despite Teixeira being a solid defender. 24-year old righty reliever Stephen Marek was the #6 prospect in the Angels’ system coming into the season according to Baseball America. He has pitched in 34 games (0 starts) in AA ball this season and he is 2-6 with 3 saves, a 3.66 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Marek has also whiffed 57 batters in the minors in only 46.2 innings this season which shows what kind of stuff he has.

This was a trade that will help both teams…..the Angels now and the Braves later. That’s unless the Angels re-sign Teixeira after the season which would give the clear edge to the Angels.

Remember back in April when Casey Kotchman was looking like an MVP candidate? He played in 25 games in April and he was 30 for 92 (.326 avg) with 13 runs scored, 6 homers and 19 RBIs. Even since then his power has disappeared. Kotchman has played in 71 games the last three months and he is 73 for 264 (.277 avg) with 31 runs scored, 3 homers and 29 RBIs. Still, Kotchman is a good all-around baseball player as he is an outstanding defender so he is in no danger of losing playing time any time soon. But don’t be surprised if the Angels move him as part of a trade for a legit power hitting 1B before next week.

23-year old righty starting pitcher Nick Green was the #8 prospect in the Los Angeles Angels’ system according to Baseball America but he hasn’t looked like it in AAA ball this year. Green has started 19 games in AAA-Ball this season and he is 5-4 with a 4.98 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Green has not been missing many bats this season as he has allowed 119 hits and 21 homers in only 108.1 innings this year in AAA. Look for the Angels to possibly move Green in a trade at the end of the month if it helps them get what they think they need to make a run for the World Series.

Kelvim Escobar tried to rehab his right shoulder with rest but he will now have season ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. This injury will cause Escobar to miss the next 9-12 months. He started 30 games last season for the Angels and he was 18-7 with a 3.40 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. Losing Escobar would have hurt more this season if Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana hadn’t stepped up this year. Escobar has been effective in his 4 years with the Angels. Escobar has pitched in 109 games (100 starts) in his career with the Angels and he is 43-35 with 1 save, a 3.60 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP.

If the Angels aren’t going to give 1B Kendry Morales a legit chance at the major leagues they should just trade him and get something they need. The 25-year old switch hitting Morales has played in 45 games in AAA ball this season and he is 61 for 188 (.324 avg, .870 OPS) with 22 runs scored, 8 homers and 37 RBIs. Morales has only played in 1 game for the Angels this season and he is 0 for 1. The Angels should do themselves a favor and trade Morales while he still has a lot of value if they are content with letting him play in the minors.