Trade Central: Angels, Orioles Make Three-Player Swap

THE DEAL

As part of the annual small-deal flurry toward the end of spring training, the Angels and Orioles struck an agreement on Tuesday.

Baltimore shipped lefty reliever Chris Jones to Los Angeles for a pair of prospects: Outfielder Natanael Delgado and infielder Erick Salcedo.

The deal also makes trade partners of teams with two of the lowest-ranked farm systems in baseball. The Orioles, who ranked No. 27, acquire two prospects of the Angels’ system, which, resoundingly, was No. 30.

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ANGELS ACQUIRE Chris Jones, lhp Age: 27

In a bullpen that already contained lefty closer Zach Britton and southpaw fireballer Brian Matusz, and had two more lefthanded candidates in Zach Phillips and T.J. McFarland, Jones was expendable. The Angels have Jose Alvarez as their sole lefthander, so Jones will have a chance to battle it out with Greg Mahle for a possible second lefthander’s spot in their bullpen. Jones has spent the past three seasons at Triple-A Norfolk and has reduced his base on balls total every season.

CLUB (League)	W	L	ERA	G	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
Norfolk (AAA)	8	8	2.94	30	150	158	60	49	15	29	105

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ORIOLES ACQUIRE Natanael Delgado, of Age: 20 | BA Grade: 45 High

Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2012 for $280,000, Delgado has moved slowly through the system. He reached low Class A Burlington in 2015 and after the season ranked as the Angels’ No. 29 prospect. His best tool is his raw power, produced by above-average bat speed. Raw is the key, however. He’s produced just 12 home runs in 756 at-bats and has slugged just .394. He’s worked to improve his strike zone discipline but has also gained enough weight over the past that he’s become more suited for a corner outfield spot.

CLUB (League)	AVG	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Burlington (MWL)	.241	411	32	99	6	46	19	104	2	.261	.318

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Erick Salcedo, if Age: 22

Salcedo is an organizational infielder, and the Angels treated him as such in 2015. The 22-year-old spent time at low Class A (62 games), high Class A (two games), Double-A (25 games) and Triple-A (six games). He ranked as the Angels’ No. 27 prospect after the 2013 season but hasn’t returned to the pages of the Prospect Handbook since. He makes a ton of contact, as shown by his 45 strikeouts and 20 walks all season—but makes very little impact. In 283 at-bats last year, Salcedo notched just six extra-base hits, all doubles. He has yet to hit a home run in six professional seasons. He hasn’t ever been regarded as an especially gifted defender, either, so this acquisition looks like a depth move more than anything.

Club (League)	AVG	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
Salt Lake (PCL)	.250	16	3	4	0	0	2	3	0	.333	.313
Burlington (MWL)	.230	183	23	42	0	13	13	31	5	.279	.246
Inland Empire (CAL)	.500	6	2	3	0	0	0	0	2	.500	.667
Arkansas (TL)	.213	75	10	0	0	3	5	11	5	.259	.227
Zulia (VL)	.246	130	14	0	0	6	9	21	1	.293	.262