Peter Bourjos Rumors: Nationals, Angels Have Talked Trade

Peter Bourjos has been at the center of preliminary trade talks between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Angels, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  A major league source told Morosi and FOX Sports that the Nationals and Angels have discussed a trade that would send Bourjos to Washington.  Beyond the Nationals, the Angels have received calls regarding Bourjos from the Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks and Kansas City Royals.

Bourjos is thought to be available due to the emergence of top prospect Mike Trout.  Though Bourjos was the Angels primary center fielder last season and produced admirably (.765 OPS, 49 extra base hits, 22 stolen bases), he has lost significant playing time to Trout, who is viewed as LA’s center fielder of the future.

Bourjos registered 48 at-bats during the month of April.  Trout was recalled at the end of the month, and so far in May Bourjos has only four at-bats to Trout’s 27.

The Nationals have been targeting a long-term answer to their center field question for some time.  Bourjos, 25, would seem to fit the bill, and the Angels should almost certainly be willing to move him due to the presence of Trout.

While the needs fit, the Nationals aren’t currently in a position to provide the Angels what they require most; relievers.  The Nationals are expected to eventually be willing to deal bullpen arms, but they are currently without their primary setup man and closer, Brad Lidge and Drew Storen.

Morosi predicts that the Nationals will be more willing to part with a reliever once Lidge and/or Storen return.  Lidge isn’t likely to be out much longer, but it could take until July for Storen to rejoin the Nationals.

For more on the Angels and Nationals be sure to check out Halo Hangout and District on Deck.

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