Angels strengthen outfield with trades for Murphy, DeJesus

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The Los Angeles Angels strengthened their outfield with two trades on Tuesday, acquiring David DeJesus from the Tampa Bay Rays and David Murphy from the Cleveland Indians.

DeJesus was acquired from the Rays in exchange for minor-league pitcher Eduar Lopez on Tuesday, while Murphy came to Los Angeles from Cleveland for infielder Eric Stamets.

"When you've been with an organization for a couple of years, to be leaving, you've built some relationships that are pretty strong, so that's the tough side of it," DeJesus said in a phone conversation, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. "But to go over to a first-place team, a great team, a tough team, that's playing well again this year and can go deep into the playoffs - that's awesome. And my family actually moved out that way, to live in the offseason, so that's even better. I get to be around my son and my wife a lot more."

The Angels' outfield already included Mike Trout, Kole Calhoun, and Matt Joyce (who was recently placed on the disabled list with a concussion). The additions give manager Mike Scioscia flexibility with his lineup.

DeJesus, 35, was hitting .259/.323/.375 in 257 plate appearances prior to the trade.

Murphy, 33, was sporting a healthy .296/.344/.437 batting line for the Indians while splitting his time between left and right field.

The two deals come just one day after the Angels acquired Shane Victorino, another outfielder, from the Boston Red Sox.