Angels acquire Joe Thatcher, Tony Campana from D-Backs

The Los Angeles Angels have acquired left-hander Joe Thatcher and outfielder Tony Campana from the Arizona Diamondbacks, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. In return, the Angels sent outfielder Zach Borenstein and righty Joey Krehbiel to Arizona.

The deal had been close for awhile, as the Angels had been very interested in acquiring Thatcher. They intend him to anchor the eighth inning of their bullpen, where he has pitched most of the time during his stay in Arizona. The Angels, in order to contend, have wanted to acquire bullpen pieces to help one of the worst relief corps in the major leagues. Thatcher seems to be that man.

On the season, Thatcher is 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA and a 3.28 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching). The former undrafted free agent has appeared 37 times out of the Diamondbacks' bullpen, tossing 24 innings. His 144 ERA+ is the second-highest of his career, next to only his 2010 campaign in which he went 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA in 65 games out of the Padres' bullpen. The 32-year-old is a free agent at the end of the season.

The Angels will also be receiving Tony Campana from the Diamondbacks, who should be extra outfield help and another bat off of the bench. On the year, Campana has a .150/.164/.200 triple-slash line with three runs batted in. That has come in 61 plate appearances. Campana stole 30 bases back in 2010 with the Cubs and could also serve as a pinch-runner late in ballgames.

The Diamondbacks are getting outfielder Zach Borenstein and righty Joey Krehbiel. Borenstein, currently at Double-A Arkansas, has a .718 OPS on the season, and had played in 30 Triple-A games before being demoted. He has power potential; Borenstein smacked 28 homers last season. As for Krehbeil, the 21-year-old has a 2.00 ERA in 18 relief innings this season. He is currently at High Single-A Inland Empire. 

The deal seems to be fair for both sides. The Diamondbacks, who are building for the future, get a minor league outfielder and a minor league reliever, while the Angels, who are trying to contend, get major league talent, in the form of an outfielder and a reliever as well.  

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