Tampa Bay trades DeJesus to Angels

The Tampa Bay Rays have acquired minor league right-handed pitcher Eduar Lopez from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for veteran outfielder David DeJesus, as stated by a team press release. CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman says the Indians will receive shortstop prospect Eric Stamets in return. He will more than likely platoon with newly acquired outfielder Shane Victorino in left field. Victorino made his first start for the Angels on Tuesday in Houston; Murphy and DeJesus will join the club later this week.

The Cleveland Indians have traded OF David Murphy to the Los Angeles Angels for a SS prospect, according to reports. 296 with five home runs, 27 RBIs, a. 344 on-base percentage and.

Murphy, 33, is hitting a healthy.296/.344/.437 (115 OPS+) with 12 doubles and five home runs in 229 plate appearances this season. The Rays didn’t see a fit on the roster with him and the left-handed hitting Jaso, and tried to trade DeJesus during the offseason.

The move clears at-bats for DH John Jaso and OF Desmond Jennings, who is expected back in mid-August, and also saves the team $3 million on the remainder of DeJesus’ contract, which includes a team option for 2016.

DeJesus and Murphy are also far more affordable than Gonzalez and Bruce. Behind the plate, Stamets leaves the Arkansas Travelers batting.

DeJesus has a $5 million club option for 2016, with a $1 million buyout.

Lopez, 20, has been ranked by Baseball America as a top 30 prospect in the Angels’ system each of the past three seasons (2012-14). The Dominican right-hander has posted a 2-2 record and 4.32 ERA in eight starts with Low-A Orem so far this season, which is his fourth in professional baseball.

The Los Angeles Angels have spent all year trying to find a replacement for left fielder Josh Hamilton, and in a span of 24 hours, decided to go with a three-headed monster.

Murphy and DeJesus will provide much-needed help in the outfield as well as at the designated hitter spot for the Angels, who were exploring the market for left-handed outfield bats.