Atlanta Braves slugger Mark Teixeira has been traded to the Los Angeles Angels for first baseman Casey Kotchman and pitching prospect Stephen Marek.

Teixeira is on his way out the door for the second straight year at the trade deadline. Last year he was traded from the Texas Rangers to the Atlanta Braves in a deal centered around catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. This time he’s going from the Atlanta Braves to the Los Angeles Angels for a deal centered around first baseman Casey Kotchman.

Kotchman was the starting first baseman for an Angels lineup that was just starting to find it’s niche. Although the dynamics Kotchman added to the Angels lineup will be missed, Teixeira is a much better player all over the board. For the year Teixeira has a .283 BA, 20 HR, 78 RBI and a .512 SLG%. Kotchman was at .287 BA, 12 HR, 54 RBI and a .448 SLG%.

The Los Angeles Angels were already considered “the team to beat” as they sport the best record in all of baseball and were the first team to reach 60 wins. In the past five years the first team to reach 60 wins at the very least made the World Series. Their pitching has led them for the most part but as of late the offense has caught fire and adding Teixeira makes them even more dangerous.

It’s all speculation really whether he will just be a “rent-a-player” or sign a long-term extension in the off-season. It could get ugly because his agent is Scott Boras but the Angels are in a good enough position financially and have the capital to afford him. If they win the World Series there really shouldn’t be any reason for him to go to another team but with many players chasing the green these days you never know.

Teixeira is expected to join his team team, the Los Angeles Angels in the finale against Boston on Wednesday and he is also expected to play.