Angels trade slugger Trumbo for pitching

The Angels today announced that they traded proven slugger Mark Trumbo and a player to be named later in exchange for LHP Hector Santiago and LHP Tyler Skaggs from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Going into the offseason, the Angels biggest need was upgrading their starting rotation. But in dealing the power-hitting Trumbo, did the Halos really get equal value in return? Both Santiago and Skaggs have upside and are a cheap on the pocketbook, but are relatively unproven at the big league level.

Trumbo, 27, a local Orange County product, became just sixth Halo ever to post back-to-back 30 home run seasons.

Trumbo spent his third full season with the Angels in 2013 and batted .234 (145/620) while setting career highs with 34 home runs and 100 RBI. He is a proven power hitter good for 30 blasts a year -- important considering that fellow Angels sluggers Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton have had disappointing seasons since arriving in Anaheim.

By dealing Trumbo the Halos essentially have sent away a proven commodity for two young, unproven arms they hope will evolve into quality major league starters. Should they fail, or should Hamilton and Pujols continue to struggle, Trumbo's loss will be felt on multiple fronts.

Money undoubtedly became an issue for the Halos, given their pricey deals with Hamilton and Pujols. Trumbo likely could have brought them a more proven, veteran arm, but that also would have meant a more expensive contract too. Overall, the trade saved the Angels approximately three million in salary.

Expect the Angels to now go after another bat in their lineup to help fill the Trumbo void, perhaps Raul Ibanez.

Santiago, 25, spent the 2013 season with the Chicago White Sox and pitched to a 4-9 record and 3.56 ERA (149 IP – 59 ER) with 137 strikeouts in 34 games (23 starts). He opened the season in the bullpen and did not allow an earned run in six appearances (10.2 IP) before being moved to the starting rotation in early May.

Santiago registered a quality start in 12 of his 23 starts and allowed three runs or fewer in eight of the nine games in which he was charged with the loss.

A native of Newark, Santiago was originally drafted by the White Sox in the 30th round of the 2006 amateur draft. The left-hander owns an 8-10 career Major League record and 3.41 ERA (224.2 IP – 85 ER) with 218 strikeouts across parts of three big league campaigns.

Santiago was acquired by the Diamondbacks earlier this afternoon before being traded to the Angels.

Skaggs, 22, spent the 2013 season pitching for the Diamondbacks, Triple-A Reno and Single-A Visalia. The left-hander posted a 2-3 record with a 5.12 ERA (38.2 IP – 22 ER) and 36 strikeouts in his seven major league starts last season.

Skaggs also made 20 starts in the minors in 2013 (19 with Triple-A and 1 with Single-A), combining to go 6-10 with a 4.60 ERA (109.2 IP – 56 ER). In 13 big league starts since making his major league debut in 2012, the Woodland Hills, native has registered a 3-6 record with a 5.43 (68.0 IP – 41 ER) ERA.

A former first round draft selection (40th overall) by the Halos in 2009, Skaggs returns to the Angels boasting a 33-27 record with a 3.34 ERA (498.2 IP – 185 IP) and 544 strikeouts in 97 games in the minors (87 starts).

Skaggs, who entered the 2013 season ranked as the number one prospect in the Diamondback organization, was originally traded by the Angels to Arizona in 2010 along with LHP Patrick Corbin and RHP Rafael Rodriguez in exchange for RHP Dan Haren.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services