http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/05/angels-acquire-ernesto-frieri-from-padres.html

I think they got a steal. Unfortunately.

Mid-level prospects for a real major league pitcher with years of control? Someone explain to me why Padres would make this move?

I don't blame the Padres at all for this. They have a traditionally deep pen, and now theyve traded away/let go 3 good-to-great relievers in the past year (Bell, Adams, and now Frieri). Padres need help in the field, not in their staff. Angels gave up a couple of really good pieces for Frieri. Amarista was supposed to be the Macier Izturis of the future for them and hit well in ST, and Roach has been hitting well. hate to see the Angels pick up a good reliever, but you can't blame San Diego for it. For them, it was a decent trade.

Frieri puts the extreme in the term "extreme FB pitcher." His career FB% is 57%. That's a number that would make even Colby "Catch That if You Can" Lewis blush. Won't hurt him much in Anaheim. But I hope we see him frequently at RBiA in high leverage situations.

have I seen this comment before, vander? :)

As we found out with Koji last year, no reliever is a guarantee. This guys got a ton of expectations to live up to in an unfamiliar clubhouse on a 'championship caliber' team that is a weeks worth of games out of first place.

I'll wait to cast judgement untli he pitches a game, but it does look like a good move on the surface.

Also, NL to AL, which generally doesn't go so great.