Angels roundup: Jason Vargas, Josh Hamilton, Joe Blanton

While the Winter Meetings ended up being a lot of speculation and little in the way of substance, the rest of the month of December has been full of movement on the trade market and in free agency. Here is a recap of the latest news coming out of Orange County:

• The Halos filled out their starting rotation by acquiring LHP Jason Vargas in a one-for-one swap for DH/1B Kendrys Morales earlier this month. Vargas joins fellow newcomers Joe Blanton and Tommy Hanson in the rotation. The move opens the door for Mark Trumbo to take over as full-time DH and gives the fleet-footed Peter Bourjos a starting job in the outfield.
• While the Vargas trade gives the club some much needed rotation depth, it was not the biggest transaction of the month by a long shot. The Angels came out of nowhere three weeks ago and signed OF Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125 million contract.
• Before the Vargas acquisition, the Angels had been tied to the Detroit Tigers' RHP Rick Porcello.
• The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies are potentially interested in taking $42 million OF Vernon Wells off the Angels' hands. Largely lambasted from the moment he arrived in Anaheim, Wells could benefit from a change of scenery and a more hitter-friendly home park.
• The Angels signed veteran infielder Luis Rodriguez to a minor-league deal with a spring training invite.

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