The Oakland Athletics have acquired Tommy La Stella from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for Franklin Barreto in a swap of second basemen that appears to be a mutual fit for two teams heading in opposite directions.
The A's needed an upgrade at second base and got one in La Stella, a pending free agent who is batting .273/.371/.475. The Angels, who entered a weekend series against the Seattle Mariners with a 10-22 record, get more years of control with Barreto, a key piece of the Josh Donaldson trade six years ago who hasn't panned out in the major leagues.