Los Angeles Angels 31-year-old journeyman infielder Tommy La Stella developed into an All-Star second baseman during his first season with the Halos in 2019. Last night La Stella was dealt to the Oakland Athletics in exchange for infielder Franklin Barreto. The transaction came to full public view in the top of the second inning of Friday evening’s contest in Anaheim between the Angels and Seattle Mariners. La Stella appeared in the Angels dugout and stands hugging teammates and saying goodbye. Within minutes Ken Rosenthal and others were reporting the trade details.
What Oakland Gets
La Stella was hitting .273 with four home runs and 14 runs batted in for Los Angeles this season. He hit .295 with 16 home runs in his career-best 2019 season. La Stella is a free agent following the season. The Angels are currently 11.5 games behind the first-place Athletics. They have one of the worst records in the American League as we approach Monday afternoon’s trade deadline. La Stella is comfortable at second base but has also played first base this season. He can provide Oakland depth at third base as well.
La Stella will provide the Oakland Athletics with an upgrade at second base over Tony Kemp and Chad Pinder and a solid left-handed bat off the bench when not starting for the Athletics. He has developed surprising power and great gap power that should benefit him well playing in Oakland. La Stella has postseason experience during his four years with the Chicago Cubs but has never recorded a hit in 13 October at-bats.
What Los Angeles Gets
The Angels will get a 24-year-old Franklin Barreto in return from Oakland. He is under team control through the 2025 season. Barreto has a solid glove as he has split playing the two middle infield positions in Oakland but has failed to produce at the plate to this point. He is a career .180 hitter and has no hits in 10 at-bats for the Athletics this year. Barreto has been used primarily as a pinch-runner scoring five runs for Oakland in fifteen games. He was originally acquired by Oakland from Toronto in exchange for Josh Donaldson.
The Angels had demoted infielder Luis Rengifo yesterday and promoted first baseman Jared Walsh prior to Friday night’s game in anticipation of this deal being completed. Barreto, like Rengifo before him, should get a look at second base and possibly shortstop as he auditions for the Halos down the stretch. Gold Glove shortstop Andrelton Simmons is a free agent at the end of the season and could also be traded or depart the club following the season.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow B.J. Martin on Twitter @_HaloLife
Main Credit Image: Embed from Getty Images
One Response