Angels Land Slugger Teixeira

The Los Angeles Angels acquired slugging first baseman Mark Teixeira from the Atlanta Braves today, a trade that further bolsters the team with the best record in the major leagues. The Angels—who entered tonight's games with a whopping 11½-game lead in the American League West and are clearly aimed at making a World Series run—sent infielder Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Steve Marek to Atlanta.

The deal came two days before baseball's deadline for making trades without waivers. Teixeira was among the top names in the rumor mill, and should help a club that wanted to add another big bat to back its potent pitching staff. (More Mark Teixeira stories.)