Angels acquire outfielder Justin Upton from Detroit Tigers in trade
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim acquired outfielder Justin Upton from the Detroit Tigers.
Justin Upton was traded to the Angels in exchange for Grayson Allen and a player to be named later or cash considerations. LA is in the midst of battling to make the post-season.
Making this trade boosts their chances of achieving their post-season goal. Justin Upton brings offense and defense to the Angels. He is a versatile player with baseball IQ and is another prominent player the Angels need to keep consistently winning.
However, this trade did cost the Angels a player they would have rather kept for his defensive prowess. Not only did they lose Cameron Maybin, they lost him to the Houston Astros.
Today, the #Angels acquired OF Justin Upton from the Detroit Tigers in exchange for RHP Grayson Long and a PTBNL or cash considerations. pic.twitter.com/62bDMXOaqt
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 31, 2017
LA waived Maybin in order to afford Upton and then the Astros signed him off of waivers. Upton and Maybin both have similar playing styles, while one is more offensively minded and the other more defensively minded. Upton is strong in all facets of the game.
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The Angels had to lose a few players for this trade to work out, however, they may have received the better end of the trade. It seems like they may have won this trade as they are preparing to make the playoffs and compete.
The Angels seem to be building a team with talented players who are prominent veteran players and young players who can learn from them. This complements the team well and may explain why they have been doing well this last month.
Everyone is talented but, the young players have that “oomph” that some veterans don’t have. This brings balance to the team. Balance is the key to everything in life.
Upton is having one of the best years of his career in Detroit this season. The slugger is hitting above his career average at .279 while hitting 28 home runs and driving in 94 RBIs. Batting behind Mike Trout will only benefit Upton as well, pitchers have to pitch to one of them.
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Additionally, Justin Upton will help push the Angels to improve physically and mentally. It seems as if he is the momentum the Angels need to make a run for the playoffs.