The MLB trade deadline is fast approaching and outside of the Brewers acquiring Sabathia in what seems like months ago there hasn’t been many big trades to speak of overall. This has been the trend in recent years and unless something happens in the next day or so it will continue. That being said, I think the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pulled off a stellar deal yesterday with the injury riddled Atlanta Braves. The Angels picked up Mark Teixeira for hot young prospect Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Stephen Marek.

Many people are criticizing this deal because Teixeira’s contract will expire at the end of the season and the Angles won’t be able to resign him in the offseason yet they gave up a huge prospect. I say, who cares if you win a World Series! The Angels are arguably the best team in baseball, but definitely have some power issues with their lineup until now. Teixeira was the best bat available and the Angels went out and got the deal done. The Angels are now head and shoulders above the rest of MLB.

The Atlanta Braves have required a much needed first baseman in Mark Teixeira today from the Texas Rangers. Teixeira is batting .297 this season with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs and will be a major upgrade from Julio Franco who was playing first for Hotlanta. Texas traded Teixeira and middle relievevr Ron Mahay for Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Elvis Andrus and two minor league pitchers. Saltalamacchia and Andrus were considered by many to be the Braves top two prospects. The Teixeira acquisition will be helpful this year, but did the Braves actually give up too much?