Angels Trade Deadline: Five best deals in team history

Angels’ Best Trade Deadline Deals: Mark Teixeira

General Manager Tony Reagins made quite the name for himself after taking over the reins in Anaheim prior to the 2008 season. In addition to acquiring pitcher Jon Garland in a trade and also landing Torii Hunter in free agency, he also spun one of the more successful trade deadline deals in team history.

While the 2008 swap that brought Mark Teixeira to Anaheim may be a bit maligned in the memories of Angels fans, it was nonetheless successful.

Acquired in exchange for first baseman Casey Kotchman and pitching prospect Stephen Marek, Teixeira made an immediate impact on the Angels. Over 54 games and 193 at-bats, Tex slashed .358/.449/.632 with 13 home runs and 43 RBI. Additionally, he hit a robust .467/.550/.467 in the postseason. However, the Angels were bounced in four games by the Boston Red Sox.

The reason the trade is a bit controversial is that Teixeira spurned the Angels the following winter, singing with the New York Yankees instead. However, that ended up being somewhat of a blessing in disguise. As compensation for losing Teixeira via free agency, the Angels were awarded the 25th pick in the first round of the 2009 MLB Draft.

The Angels used that pick to select someone you may be familiar with; Mike Trout.