Braves trade Tommy Hanson to Angels

The Los Angeles Angels have acquired right-hander Tommy Hanson from the Atlanta Braves, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com:

Angels trade for tommy hanson

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 30, 2012

The Braves will receive right-handed reliever Jordan Walden in return. It's reported that this is a one-for-one swap, Walden for Hanson.

The Angels were in need of at least one starting pitcher this winter, as they traded Ervin Santana to the Kansas City Royals and declined right-hander Dan Haren’s option for 2013.

Los Angeles was initially viewed as the favorite to re-sign right-hander Zack Greinke, but the Los Angeles Dodgers are now reportedly the frontrunners in the chase for the market’s top free agent arm. While the Angels are scheduled to meet with Greinke in the near future, it’s no sure thing that they’ll bring him back for 2013 and beyond.

This fact makes the addition of Hanson extremely significant. LA now has a projected starting three of Jered Weaver, C.J. Wilson and Hanson.

Over 31 starts for the Braves last season Hanson posted an ERA of 4.48. The 26-year-old maintained an ERA of 3.61 in five seasons at the major league level.

Walden was the Angels’ closer as recently as 2011, but he was viewed as expendable after the team’s signing of Ryan Madson. The 25-year-old owns a career ERA of 3.06 over three seasons in the majors.