Phillies add infield depth in trade for Taylor Featherston
The Phillies acquired infielder Taylor Featherston from the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, as general manager Matt Klentak made his first trade with one of his former employers.
The Phillies acquired infielder Taylor Featherston from the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday for a player to be named or cash, as general manager Matt Klentak made his first trade with one of his former employers.
Featherston, 26, was a Rule 5 pick who stuck last season with the Angels as an infielder with time at second base, shortstop and third base. He batted just .162, the lowest for any major-league player in 2015 with at least 150 plate appearances.
The Angels thought highly enough of Featherston, regarded as an above-average fielder, to keep him on the 25-man roster all season despite his offensive woes. But he was designated for assignment last week.
To make room on the 40-man roster for Featherston, the Phillies designated lefthanded reliever Bobby LaFromboise for assignment. LaFromboise was a waiver claim last month, and could still come to camp as a non-roster player if he is not claimed again on waivers.
Featherston can be sent to the minors with the Rule 5 restrictions lifted. He has never played at triple A and has all three minor-league options remaining.