It’s no secret that the Los Angeles Angels are looking for starting pitching help this offseason, especially if Zack Greinke decides to leave La La Land to head elsewhere.
The Halos made headway in that hunt for starting arms on Friday when they acquired right-handed pitcher Tommy Hanson from the Atlanta Braves, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman.
Angels trade for tommy hanson
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) November 30, 2012
According to multiple reports, the Angels will send relief pitcher Jordan Walden to the Braves in exchange for Hanson.
Can confirm that #Angels are acquiring P Tommy Hanson from #Braves … it appears reliever Jordan Walden will be going to Atlanta.
— Mike DiGiovanna (@MikeDiGiovanna) November 30, 2012
Hanson went 13-10 in 2012 with the Braves, posting a 4.48 ERA. He was a workhorse for the Bravos, taking the ball 31 times and logging 174.2 innings. It was the second time in his four big league seasons that he had made at least 31 starts, after he started 34 games and threw 202.2 innings in 2010.
Hanson was hit around some in 2012, though. The 4.48 ERA was almost a full run higher than his previous career worst in 2011, thanks in part to giving up 27 home runs. His 1.45 WHIP was also by far the highest of his young career.
Walden burst onto the scene in 2011 after making his big league debut the year before. He was an All-Star in 2011, compiling 32 saves and a 2.98 ERA out of the Los Angeles bullpen.
He was no longer the closer in 2012, but still had a solid season, giving up 15 runs in 39 innings of work to go along with a 1.36 WHIP. The 25-year-old will join one of the best bullpens in baseball in Atlanta.
