A’s get AllStar La Stella from Angels for Barreto

The A’s added a versatile infielder and lefthanded bat several days before the trade deadline, acquiring Tommy La Stella from the Angels late Friday for infielder Franklin Barreto.

La Stella was an AllStar in his first season with the Angels last year, batting .295 with 16 home runs in 80 games, mostly playing second and third base. He is batting .273 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 28 games this season and will be a free agent after the season.

“He’s a really good fit for us,” A’s general manager David Forst said in a conference call. “One of the best contact rates in the league, a real threat from the left side, a guy with versatility who can play in different spots.”

La Stella will join the A’s on Saturday, Forst said, when the team will discuss his role. Tony Kemp has been the lefthanded half of their secondbase platoon and has played well in his starts. La Stella offers another lefthanded option at second or designated hitter. The deal could also set the stage for other moves before Monday’s trade deadline.

“I think having too many good options is never a problem,” Forst said. La Stella “plays a majority at second base and provides a threat from the left side for us. I think we’ll have no problem finding a spot for him in the lineup.”

Over seven seasons, La Stella has nearly as many walks (131) as strikeouts (154), notable for an A’s team that began Friday leading the majors in strikeouts.

Barreto was the last player remaining in the A’s system from the 2014 Josh Donaldson trade to Toronto, in which they also received Brett Lawrie, Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin. Barreto appeared in 95 games with the A’s over the past four seasons, batting .180 with nine home runs, seven walks and 92 strikeouts in 219 plate appearances. He was 0for10 this season with five runs scored.

“I hope this turns out to be a good opportunity for Franklin,” Forst said. “You’re not going to find a better kid . ... We were never able to give him the fulltime opportunity he probably needs in the big leagues to get settled.”