Braves Trade Tommy Hanson To Angels For Jordan Walden

The Atlanta Braves have traded Tommy Hanson to the Los Angeles Angels for reliever Jordan Walden.

The Associated Press reports that the move will help bolster Atlanta Braves’ bullpen. Walden’s fastball has been clocked at nearly 100 miles per house and he recorded 48 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched this past season for the Angels. Walden served as the Angels’ closer in 2011, recording 32 saves and striking out 67 batters in 60.1 innings pitched. He was named an All-Star that season, making the team as an injury replacement. He was demoted from the closer role early in 2012.

The Angels had said earlier this week that Walden was “very available” after the team signed Ryan Madson.

Tommy Hanson will help the Angels offset the loss of Ervin Santana and Dan Haren. The 26-year old Hanson had a career-high 13 wins last season but a career-worst ERA at 4.48. MLB Trade Rumors reports that Hanson’s spent some time on the injured list last season with shoulder tendonitis, and added that his fast ball has been trending in the “wrong direction.”

Hanson has a 45-32 career record with Atlanta, the only team he had played for in his four-year career. In 2012, Hanson was the Braves’ Opening Day starter. He won 11 games as a rookie, 10 in 2010, 11 in 2011 and 13 last year. Tommy Hanson’s ERA has also been trending the wrong way. His ERA in each of his four seasons were as follows: 2.89, 3.33, 3.60, and 4.48.

Hanson was called up by Atlanta in 2009 when the team cut Tom Glavine. He finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting that season.