While most observers expected Anaheim to be active at the deadline, the Angels were primarily perceived to be interested in pitching. However, no pitchers directly appeared in the only deal they completed on Wednesday. Anaheim sent C-L Jorge Fabregas and two players to be named later to Milwaukee for OF-R Alex Ochoa and C-R Sal Fasano.

Ochoa's moved around quite a bit since the Orioles drafted him out of high school in the third round of the 1991 draft. Baltimore dealt Ochoa to the Mets with Damon Buford for Bobby Bonilla and Jimmy Williams in 1995 before Ochoa had even made his major league debut. In late 1997, New York sent him to Minnesota for Rich Becker, and a year later the Twins moved him to Milwaukee for a PTBNL (Darrell Nicholas). However, he didn't stay with the Brewers then either, as in early 2000 they also dealt him and Mark Sweeney to the Reds for a PTBNL (Gene Altman). Cincinnati traded Ochoa to the Rockies in mid-July of 2001 for Todd Walker and Robin Jennings, and then the Brewers reacquired him this off-season in a three-way deal involving the Mets.

The 30-year-old outfielder offers good plate discipline, complimented by marginal speed and power numbers. Although traditionally Ochoa has a negligible platoon split, he's lost power against left-handed pitchers this season. The team has not yet defined Ochoa's role other than to indicate that they like his defense and flexibility in the outfield.

Anaheim primarily wanted to add another outfielder off the bench as Orlando Palmeiro had previously been their only outfield reserve. Ochoa should definitely rank above Palmeiro for at-bats whenever any of the three starting outfielders are out of the lineup. However, Ochoa could also start regularly against lefties if the Angels want to rest an outfielder at DH, probably Tim Salmon, to get Brad Fullmer out of the line-up.

Milwaukee signed Fasano to a minor league contract in June. The only offensive skill the catcher really possesses is a little power, but he has a good defensive reputation. If the Angels lose either Bengie or Jose Molina to injury, Fasano should be an adequate second-string catcher, allowing them to avoid moving Shawn Wooten back behind the plate.

I'm really quite uncertain as to why the teams included a swap of catchers, unless Anaheim wanted to slightly reduce payroll by Fabregas' $500K before taking on Ochoa's $2.75M. However considering the contracts are prorated over the course of the season, the Angels gain little by the move. Some reports indicated that Fabregas was actual targeted by the Brewers, which makes very little sense considering they have Paul Bako and Robert Machado in the majors and Raul Casanova rehabbing a torn elbow ligament in the minors. Even if Casanova doesn't return before the end of the season, they're still carrying three catchers, and Fabregas is a pending free agent, so it isn't as though they're looking ahead to next season.

The 32-year-old possesses better plate discipline than either of the other two and has displayed more power in the past, but the difference is marginal, particularly over the limited at-bats involved. Bako also bats left-handed, so Fabregas doesn't even offer anything unique in that regard. Milwaukee would have been much better off holding onto the inexpensive and likely superior Fasano than trading for Fabregas.

I'm a bit concerned about the price Anaheim will ultimately pay for these acquisitions due to the unknown factor of the players to be named later. However provided they aren't both promising prospects, the cost should be about even. Milwaukee benefits regardless of whom they pick up, as Ochoa was a pending free agent who I don't believe they had any intention of re-signing.

In addition to making the move to improve their outfield this season, Anaheim also acted to secure future stability by signing Darin Erstad to a four-year, $32M contract extension. He signed a one-year, $6.25M contract this off-season and reportedly refused to discuss an extension at that time. However, he really enjoys playing for Angels' Manager Mike Scioscia, and Erstad supposedly preferred to get the contract out of the way now, as opposed to waiting for a potentially more lucrative deal after the season. He'll earn $7M next season and receive a $.5M increase in salary each year through 2006. The contract also includes a $1M signing bonus and a limited no trade clause that allows Erstad to block trades to four teams each season.

I have to say I was really surprised to see this extension considering their talks during the 2001 off-season. In light of the Angels' success this season and the completed contract, former Anaheim President Tony Tavarez's decision to cancel the trade that would have sent Erstad to the White Sox now looks much better, though his reasoning at the time remains poor, as he did so without the expectation that the Angels would re-sign Erstad.

Erstad has never demonstrated particularly strong plate discipline, which has likely contributed to the ups and downs of his career. There's a good chance he peaked in 2000, but he's still in his heyday at age 28 and this contract shouldn't take him much past his prime. His batting average has rebounded this season, and having demonstrated the power skills in the past, his production could spike at any time.

However, he appears to have increased his BA by upping his contact rate rather than exercising additional strike zone judgment. While his strikeout totals have fallen this season, his already low walk rate has also taken a hit. He still maintains a moderate level of offensive speed though that will likely drop off in the next few seasons.

I'm quite torn about the deal as I suspect Anaheim received a discount off the price he would have commanded after the season, but I question Erstad's skills and ability to earn his salary through the length of the contract. Ultimately, based on his history with the team, I think it's a good signing.