The Angels announced today that they’ve acquired infielder Tommy La Stella from the Cubs in exchange for a player to be named later or cash. To clear a spot for La Stella on the 40-man roster, the Halos requested unconditional release waivers on outfielder Jabari Blash.
The trade of La Stella to the Angels comes one day after the Cubs acquired infielder Ronald Torreyes in a trade with the Yankees. The pair of moves seems to indicate that Chicago is content to move forward with Torreyes as their primary backup infielder headed into the 2019 season. The swap will also likely save the Cubs a slight bit of money; La Stella is projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $1.2MM next season, while Torreyes was projected at $900K. The latter is more of a true utility option anyhow, given his ability to play shortstop — a position that La Stella has never played in the Major Leagues.
From the Angels’ perspective, adding La Stella is a sensible move. His composite .274/.360/.396 batting line through 512 plate appearances over the past three seasons fits general manager Billy Eppler’s preferred mold of an OBP-driven offensive profile, and La Stella provides the Angels with a much-needed left-handed bat. La Stella, 30 in January, can give the Angels some cover at both second base and at third base next season, and the Angels have enough right-handed bats to comfortably platoon him if they desire. Then again, while La Stella was always shielded from left-handed pitching in Chicago, he does have a solid .278/.366/.383 batting line against lefties in his career — albeit in a tiny sample of 133 plate appearances.
Blash, also 29, has displayed light-tower power in the minor leagues but managed just a .186/.306/.307 slash in 324 plate appearances between the Padres and Angels to this point in his MLB career. He’s a lifetime .274/.394/.606 hitter in nearly 1300 Triple-A plate appearances, however, so he could draw interest elsewhere on a minor league contract or, speculatively speaking, from a club overseas.
This is a good move, if they can get rid of Cozart.
Maybe the Padres can be a trade partner there
Won’t happen
Why get rid of Cozart? When health his is a solid player. Getting rid of an unproven outfielder in Blash for a seasoned left handed infielder who can play multiple positions is a great move. Now let’s get to work on the pitching. I
The Angels are desperate to eliminate salary so they can add much needed pitchers. Cozart and Calhoun are the only real ways of doing that unless they decide to move Trout
Another free agent a team is desperate to move. Maybe this year teams will figure out these players only need to sign for one year.
Those two currently have no trade value. Best to build some depth behind them and hope for a rebound. And both are elite defenders.
Arte is just going to have to bite the bullet to add pitching.
Where does this delusional nonsense about the Angels being “desperate to eliminate salary” come from?
I agree Cozat not bad when healthy
LaStellllllllaaaaaaaaa!!!!
I wonder if he will refuse to join the Angel’s like he refused to join the Iowa Cubs a couple years ago. Although CA is a better state than IA. I know I been there. Iowa got hogs, corn, and hog sh*t everywhere. Hog sh*t on the corn, in the roads, hog sh*t on my carpet, hog sh*t on my TV. It’s terrible!
Harkens Elaine from Seinfeild.. lol
“Getting rid of Cozart” is not a bright response.
If Simmons goes down for any length of time, Cozart is the best option at SS, since he has played out of position at 2B and 3B. La Stella can back up 2B and 3B, but the story stated clearly he is not SS. Both players give the team depth and defensive versatility. With Fletcher, there would be 3 INF capable of playing multiple positions.
Fletcher is the best option at short, if Simmons goes down for any length of time. Cozart was over an overpay and overreaction of one good year. He is another Gary Mathews Jr. He will probably be riding the pine. Cozart to the Yankees for Sunny Grey, probably makes the most sense.
Apparently, you never in your life watched Cozart play SS. Fletcher is talented, Cozart is starting SS on any team which didn’t already have Simmons or Lindor.
Fletcher is a lovable player in the Eckstein mould, but that is because he’s an overachiever. No manager in MLB would start Fletcher over Cozart, since Cozart has about 50% greater range and a better arm.
I was expecting some talk that Cashman would try to get Cozart to cover SS until Gregorius returns from surgery, but that team is clearly conflicted about Machado and that will be their top priority. But if Machado signs elsewhere, I wouldn’t be surprised if the deal is discussed.
But please, continue with your hot takes.
He might refuse to accept the trade and threaten to sit out
Haha was just thinking that!
What are the odds he has another hissy fit…
And very few will sign for thatactually, hecwill probably welcome it. He should get more time and isn’t being sent down. Please, pay attention.
wow, Jabari Blash is not good in the slightest, but somebody you want to see play everyday
That makes no sense
Maybe because he has a cool name?
Not a bad move. Decent OBP.
Was totally blocked in Chicago after Bryant and Russell came up. Could be your new leadoff hitter. Swings a bat almost taller than he is. Picks up a couple catcher interferences that way.
He was signed as a utility player and pinch hitter, and that’s what he’s best suited to be. There are too many solid 2B options out there to start La Stella.
A weird move for us Cubs.. Tommy was well liked in the clubhouse & a solid player who brought it everyday. Only a PH but still.
We need Greinke
Yeah I always thought La Stella was a good bench guy and seemed like an asset on that team. Seems weird to replace him with Torreyes just to save $300k, though I guess they need someone to play short if Russell is getting the boot.
Can’t believe they let the NL pinch hit leader go. Torreyes? I thought they’d go for a more serious player to bolster that infield. Unless they have a better plan, I don’t get this at all.
With Russell’s impending suspension, they need someone else who can handle SS. Tommy can’t.
Toe better
No he’s not
Best PH in baseball last year. He will be missed. This move is a head scratcher.
He was pretty brutal for most of the year.
what’s weird about it? Bote becomes the primary bench bat while Torreyes gives them a backup that can actually play defense somewhere. Makes a lot of sense
and we need a 7th starting pitcher like me need a 9th outfielder, so why on earth do the Cubs need Grienke’s contract?
I thought Bryant was getting traded so Bote could get everyday at-bats at 3B?
0 zilch and nadauh, no…do you want Chris Davis, too?
Omg bro BUY TROUT !!
Bye*
Next time…..dont.
Lots of confusing stuff going on in Cubville these days
dealing a 30 year old bench player isn’t that confusing or surprising, especially to save money
trading away the top pinch hitter in baseball to save 300k is a strange move by a big market club.
Cubs had LaStella and Bote on the bench. Neither an ideal back up SS. Both most comfy playing 2nd or 3rd. They needed some bench diversity. LaStella is Arb eligible this year and Bote not until 2022. One had to go..LaStella made the most sense.
.
This all seems to have to do with them probably not bringing Russell back (whether they tender him or not). If Javy goes over to short, they need a bench guy who can play short to back him up. One or the other had to go, and Bote’s younger and has more pop. I’m sad to see Tommy go, but I get it.
Even if they hang onto Addison, he will be suspended for the 1st 40 games. They needed someone on the bench who could handle SS.
and Bote actually has some power in his bat
Russell isn’t going anywhere.
I could see Marwin Gonzalez in a Cubs uniform now.
you had to know there would be dominoes fallng after that blockbuster Torreyes deal.
It’s only November folks
Say it ain’t so Toe :((
He’s getting a shot, so wth?
Can he pitch??
Pitched an inning and a third last year, gave up 3 hits, including a solo HR. So…maybe????
About as good as some of the guys we rolled out last year, ha ha.
Shuffling the bench for the eventual Addison Russell departure.
Russell will be back in Chicago next year.
only because he has no trade value at all…
If Blash ever figures it out, he could make this move look REALLY bad.
That is a big if… can’t hit a major league fastball.
And if Tyler Thornburg wins the Cy Young next year it’ll make the Shaw trade look REALLY bad.
Good Luck Tommy thanks for the memories
He’s going to the Angels?
Good Luck Tommy, avoiding Tommy John
(Of The Non-pitcher variety)
I really liked La Stella… I can’t understand this move honestly. I hope it is foreshadowing a bigger move to make it make sense? They pretty much just said here is La Stella and aren’t getting anything notable in the trade. So, if nothing else happens, this will be really confusing.
I’m surprised the article didn’t mention the possibility LaStella could decide to retire. Considering that’s what he threatened when the Cubs merely optioned him to AAA and he said something along the lines of I don’t want to play for anyone but the Cubs at the major leagues. I’m intrigued to see if he says something
I mean, Jesse Chavez also said he was going to retire if he didn’t play for the Cubs, and he just signed with the Rangers. I suspect Tommy’s big issue was not wanting to play AAA. I doubt he’ll turn down his nose at sitting on the bench next to Trout, Ohtani, Pujols and Simmons.
You’re probably right. I just figure it’s worth keeping tabs on
I only wish that Pujols was on the bench and not as a DH. He is the biggest deterrent for the Angels being able to add quality pitching.
Big difference between getting sent to Iowa and sent to Anaheim.
If I were the Giants, I would pursue Jabari Blash and see if he sticks. A low cost gamble.
Blash has one of the longest swings I have ever seen. He can’t hit a fastball. He is strictly a AAA player.
Actually, the samples are too small for 2018. One AB against a power pitcher. However, it’s interesting to see his 2017 stats batting from the 6th spot, particularly with men on. Even more impressive was his stats at Coors field. Hmmm.
Non power pichers have fastballs, too
Sucks to see lestella go but now he’ll have a better chance to play everyday.
These are Tribune Company type moves. So much for “all that tv money” making the Cubs spenders. I guess they’ll be tearing things down sooner than I thought.
you do know the Winter Meetings haven’t even started, right? And that most teams have done the same kind of house cleaning moves the Cubs have?
so either you think just about everybody’s ‘tearing things down’, or you should stop making predictions based on pretty much no information at all…
Yeah, Darvish, Heyward and Hamels were such Tribune moves.
Do you really believe letting L aStella go means a tear down?
Lets see here…The Cubs replace LaStella in his last year of control for a guy who has 3 years of control, who is a decent contact hitter like LaStella is (although less OBP), who is cheaper, capable of playing more positions and is a better defender. This move is how successful GM operates.
The Tibune would have kept LaStella for another year and over payed a FA to replace him the next year. BAD!
When Bryant went down the cubs did not play LaStella everyday at 3rd. They instead chose to call up a guy from the minor leagues.to do it (Bote). LaStella was nothing more than a very likable bench bat who got the least amount of playing time and at bats than any opening day position player on the Cubs.
Good Luck Tommy and Thanks!
I’m. really quite sad now.
Nice move. The Angels had too many PAs by guys like Valbuena, Marte, and Cowart last year. Plus Pujols isn’t getting better with age.
Raises the floor a tad.
Tommy is a good hitter. Good hands, good eye, below avg. arm and legs. On the Cubs he was best suited to pinch hit. An asset to any team as a pinch hitter when used in that capacity. Liability if used as defender unless he can start/platoon at 2B then replace later innings for defense. If he had size and power he’d be a great first baseman.
I could see blash winding up in Cleveland on a minor league deal.
Doubtful, but would love to see LaStella get 500+ at bats. Would like to see the BB to Strikeouts over a long season.
Yeah, he can’t cover 3B. Good luck.
3AM is a good PH but that’s about it. Absolutely no power at all and challenged defensively.
Torreyes is a better fit as a utility player. Younger too! Now that they’ve fixed the biggest offensive hole, time to get some RP!
Pinch hitter was their biggest offensive hole?
Wasn’t Blash the guy in the movie “Major League” – I will take anyone over Blash, even Reggie Willits!
Sneaky good player. Nothing special, just the kind of guy you love as a backup
Good move Imo. I love Jabari, and I’d would have kept him in minor leagues, but in reality he ‘s always been struggling ever since coming to the majors, so I understand. Tommy La Stella is a very underrated player imo, has a good eye and can put the bat on the ball consistently. Of course they shouldnt just give him a platoon role, because like most players, I argue that hurts them in the long run. Baseball is already a difficult sport, not many players in the long run thrive in these types of platoon roles, I’d suggest giving him a chance to start everday, not to mention his OBP should be pretty high. Sure his average vs LHP might be lower, but indirectly since he’s getting more at bats I believe he’ll be stronger vs RHP and LHP but at a slower pace. Of course we have to see what else the Angels have or what additonal signings/trades they make.. I argued the same with CJ Cron before the 2018 season started to not give him just a platoon role and he ended up hitting 30 hrs and batted around .250. And yes, iIm arguing for a correlation not necessairly causation. And i wasnt to sure about him playing 3 days in a row to be considered an everday player. Most play 4 or 5. Overall, good move, but to maxmize his potential, and depending on who the Angels sign or trade, give him a chance to start, and don’t give up on him so easily (say if he doesnt produce the first month in, for example) would be my best bet.
When you’re dumping an awesome clubhouse guy, fan favorite, and arguably the best pinch hitter in baseball, in order to save a measly (in the pro sports world) 300k….pathetic.
Good luck, TLS. You deserve more playing time — which you’ll get. You’ll always be a World Champion Cub!
The same fans who bash him?
When you keep guys because fans luke them, you’re pathetic.
He can’t play SS. He’s nothing more than a PH for us.
I don’t think you grasp the concept that I’m not saying he should be kept because he’s well-liked. I’m saying that he’s a great veteran voice and leader for the younger guys, which boosts morale, and he’s pretty much an automatic hit, coming in as a pinch hitter. That’s invaluable.
Im not seeing where this is only about 300k. I think you are assuming that’s the motivating factor. To me this was more about starting the season with Baez being the only one who plays short stop. Who would you left off the 25 man instead?
He’ll always be a World Champion Cub, even though he was left off the 25 man World Series roster.
Unlikely trade scenario (though still fun to think about):
Three team deal between Angels, Mariners, and Cubs.
Angels get Segura, Gordon, Quintana, and Schwarber.
Mariners get Pujols, Russell, Happ, and prospects Alex Lange, Aramis Ademan and Jose Suarez.
Cubs get Simmons, Mallex, Colome, and Matthew Festa.
*que the ridicule*
The word is queue or cue. Que is a Spanish word mean “What?”
That being said, Que? seems an appropriate response to your idea that a video game would reject even in force trades mode. Just awful.
There is so much wrong here, it is hard to know where to begin, but…
For starters, why would Dipoto work so hard to get rid of Cano’s contract, then add Pujols’? And why would he trade Segura, then take on lesser-talented, PR nightmare Russell as the replacement?
I can see that much wrong at a glance, and I’m not even a Mariners fan.