CHICAGO – The Chicago Cubs traded their best pinch hitter, infielder Tommy La Stella, to the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The trade comes one day after the Cubs acquired versatile infielder Ronald Torreyes from the New York Yankees.
A fan favorite who was popular with teammates, the 29-year-old La Stella set the Cubs’ single-season record with 24 pinch hits last season, compiling an .813 OPS off the bench. As soon as he accepted his role off the bench, he thrived at the plate while becoming a leader in the dugout.
His penchant for hitting top relievers earned him the nickname “3 a.m.” from manager Joe Maddon, who once said La Stella could “wake up at 3 am and hit anyone.”
La Stella joins the Angels with an opportunity to earn everyday at-bats. Either third base or second base are currently open, depending on which one Zack Cozart plays in his return from shoulder surgery.
Young, unproven players like Taylor Ward, David Fletcher and Luis Rengifo are also in that mix for the Angels.
Moving an infielder potentially paves the way for the Cubs to tender a contract to suspended shortstop Addison Russell by Friday night’s deadline. Russell is suspended until May for violating the league’s policy on domestic abuse.
ESPN’s Alden Gonzalez contributed to this report.