Leaders Make Moves Angels Bring Back Left-Hander Abbott While Indians Acquire Right-Hander Hill
Two American League division leaders - the California Angels and Cleveland Indians - made moves to bolster their pennant drives by acquiring starting pitchers Thursday.
The Angels got left-hander Jim Abbott from the Chicago White Sox in a six-player trade, returning him to the team he started with as a rookie in 1989.
The the Indians dealt three minor-leaguers to St. Louis in exchange for right-hander Ken Hill.
In a deal that strengthens the A.L. West-leading Angels’ already strong staff, Chicago also sent lefthanded reliever Tim Fortugno to California for four minor leaguers.
Abbott, who signed with Chicago last April as a free agent, will start Saturday’s game against the Brewers.
“I’m excited to be coming to the Angels, obviously, with the team they have this year,” said Abbott. “I have some very good friends in Chicago, and it’s not easy to just walk away.”
Abbott, 27, was 6-4 in 17 starts with the White Sox this season with an ERA of 3.36.
The White Sox are struggling this season and are in fourth place in the Central Division. The deal rids them of Abbott’s $2 million salary and gives them some young prospects.
The California team Abbott will return to is much different from the one he left when he was traded to the Yankees in December 1992. Going into Thursday night’s game, the Angels had an eight-game lead over Texas.
Chicago obtained outfielder McKay Christensen, left-hander Andrew Lorraine and right-handers Bill Simas and John Snyder.
The Indians, 16 games out in front in the A.L. Central Division with the best record in baseball, were looking to plug any remaining weakness in the last half of the season.
Hill, a free agent after this season, was 6-7 with a 5.06 ERA after being acquired from the Montreal Expos in April.
He will start against the Mariners tonight.
To get Hill, Cleveland gave up Triple-A third baseman David Bell - son of Indians infield coach Buddy Bell - along with with Class A right-hander Rick Heiserman and rookie-league catcher Pepe McNeal.