Angels Telling Teams Trumbo is Not Available

The Angels are telling teams that Mark Trumbo is not a trade candidate following the signing of Josh Hamilton, according to Jeff Passan at Yahoo Sports. Trumbo was thought to be available, along with Kendrys Morales and Peter Bourjos as the Angels have a crowded outfield, first and DH outlook with all three players still on the roster.

Trumbo has played left and right field and third base in his young career but realistically he belongs at first base or as a designated hitter. With the addition of Hamilton and Albert Pujols at first base, Trumbo lacks a position in Los Angeles, but the Angels appear to prefer him over center field defensive wizard Peter Bourjos and last seasons primary DH Kendrys Morales.

The 26 year old Trumbo has two full seasons with the Angels under his belt and he has shown prodigious power in that time, but plate discipline and strikeout have been problematic; he owns a power-heavy, OBP-light career .259/.302/.478 batting line with 61 home runs in 1098 plate appearance. The right deal might still sway the Angels, but this news points to them moving others to make room for the young slugger.

Passan states that Bourjos is the preferred trade candidate for Los Angeles right now. The 25 year old center fielder was displaced by Rookie of the Year and MVP runner-up Mike Trout in 2012, but he is young and inexpensive enough to generate plenty of interest in trade.

Bourjos is a light hitter, with a batting line of just .247/.301/.402 in 851 plate appearances with LA, but in 2011, his only season as an everyday player he showed solid potential with a 271/.327/.438 in 552 plate appearances. Given that he offers exception defensive value, he could become a cost-effective alternative to free agent Michael Bourn for those teams still shopping for a centerfielder.