Angels deal for OF Justin Upton as OF Cameron Maybin claimed off waivers
The Angels are making moves.
On Thursday, the club acquired outfield Justin Upton from the Tigers in exchange for RHP Grayson Long and a PTBNL or cash considerations.
Also, outfield Cameron Maybin was claimed off waivers by the Astros. In 93 games with the club, Maybin hit .235 with 6 homers and 22 RBI.
Upton, an 11-year veteran, smacked 28 home runs and drove in 94 runs during the 2017 season in Detroit. He also earned his fourth-career All-Star Game nod this year.
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Upton represents an immediate upgrade in left field for the Angels (69-65), who are still fighting for a playoff spot despite several major injuries to their pitching staff and one of the AL's least potent lineups.
The four-time All-Star signed a six-year, $132.75 million deal to join Detroit before last season. Detroit agreed to pay the Angels $747,951 to cover a portion of the $3,747,951 remaining in Upton's $22,125,000 salary this year.
His deal includes four more seasons at the same salary, but he can opt out after the World Series and become a free agent.
The Angels sent minor-league pitcher Long to Detroit, which also gets cash considerations or a player to be named. Long was among the Angels' better prospects after posting a 2.52 ERA in 23 Double-A starts this season.
But the Angels clearly want to push for just their second playoff appearance since 2009. Los Angeles began the day one game behind Minnesota (69-63) for the second AL wild card spot.
Maybin has been relatively solid by the low standards for an Angels left fielder, batting .235 with 22 RBI and 29 stolen bases in 93 games. He joined the Angels last winter in a trade with Detroit. Houston will be his sixth big-league club.
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Los Angeles hasn't won a postseason game since Albert Pujols and Trout joined the club five years ago. The Angels were swept by Kansas City in 2014 in Trout's only playoff appearance.
The Angels open a nine-game road trip against AL West opponents on Friday night in Texas. Catch the action on FOX Sports West and FOX Sports GO!
-- The Associated Press contributed to this report
