Angels acquire Upton, Phillips for playoff push
The Los Angeles Angels were busy on Thursday loading up for a run at the A.L. wild card, adding outfielder Justin Upton and second baseman Brandon Phillips to address their two most problematic positions heading into the final month of the season.
The Angels (69- 65) are 1 ½ games out of a playoff spot despite several major injuries to their pitching staff and one of the AL’s least prolific lineups. Los Angeles trails Minnesota (70- 63) in the race for the league’s second wild card spot, and the Yankees (71- 62) are just 2 ½ games ahead.
The 36-year- old Phillips was in his first season with Atlanta, which acquired him in the offseason after 11 productive years in Cincinnati. He has been solid for the Braves, batting .291 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs.
The Braves also sent cash considerations to the Angels, and they received minor-league catcher Tony Sanchez from Los Angeles. Cincinnati already is paying $13 million of Phillips’ $14 million salary for this season, making the deal very low-risk for the Angels.
The Angels acquired Upton, a four-time All-Star, from the Detroit Tigers, giving up pitching prospect Grayson Long and cash or a player to be named. Los Angeles also allowed Cameron Maybin to leave on a waiver claim by the Houston Astros, clearing the way for Upton to take over in left field.
“What I’m excited about is being back into playoff contention and trying to help the Angels get to where they want to go,” Upton said in a phone interview. “I think I can be a piece that helps that.”
The 30-year- old Upton was an All-Star this season with the struggling Tigers, batting .279 with 28 homers and 94 RBIs. He represents an immediate upgrade in left field, which has been a problematic spot for the Angels for several years, with oft-injured Josh Hamilton leading a long list of players who couldn’t produce at the position.
Just as Upton should address the Angels’ years of problems in left field, Phillips is arriving to fill the club’s other perennial area of concern. Danny Espinosa began the season as the Angels’ starting second baseman, but the Orange County native hit just .162 before being released in July. Nick Franklin, Kaleb Cowart and utilityman Cliff Pennington have all filled in with minimal effectiveness.
Astros add Verlander to rotation
The Houston Astros acquired Justin Verlander in a trade with the Tigers late Thursday. The right-hander joins the American League West leaders and a rotation that includes Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers.
Astros owner Jim Crane says: “He adds a boost to our rotation. He’s been pitching well. We think he’ll give us some leadership. He’s been in the playoffs before and adds a dimension we didn’t have.”
The 34-year- old Verlander, who won the Cy Young Award in 2011, is 10-8 with a 3.82 ERA this season. The Tigers will receive three minor league prospects.
“We hope it positions us to get into the playoffs, get by the first round, get into the second round and get to the world series and win it,” Crane said. “That’s what we’ve been working at and that’s what we’ll continue to work at and we want to win.”
Rangers’ Beltre scheduled for MRI
Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre will have an MRI on Friday to determine the extent of a strained left hamstring that could threaten to end his 20th MLB season only weeks after getting his 3,000th career hit. Beltre was injured when fielding a slow short hopper during the game Wednesday.