LOS ANGELES -- Bill Stoneman decided the Los Angeles Angels shouldn't give up too much of their future to improve this season's title chances down the playoff stretch.
After acquiring three veteran outfielders in the previous week, the interim general manager decided not to make a costly move to land a big hitter or a key reliever at the trade deadline on Friday. Stoneman wasn't swayed even when Los Angeles (55-46) was swept in a three-game series by the Houston Astros, who nudged past the Angels into the AL West lead.
"We had discussions going right up until a couple of minutes before the deadline," Stoneman said. "There were some opportunities, but nothing that really would have helped us. Our judgment was we were giving up more than we were getting back."
The Angels acquired Shane Victorino, David Murphy and David DeJesus in three separate trades for minor leaguers in recent days. All three will get a chance to fill the void in left field for the Angels, who have received miserable production at the position since trading Josh Hamilton in April.
"I think we're deeper right now than we were last week, and that's a good sign," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Hopefully, the offensive chemistry will appear as these guys get into their roles and then get settled."
While the Angels are wrapping up a solid July, their recent losses suggest they're hardly a powerhouse. Yet Stoneman has been back on the job for a month after Jerry Dipoto's abrupt resignation, and the veteran front-office mind didn't like the look of the available deals for a bat or relief help.
"The things that we decided not to do, we think (those trades) would have left us worse off, and we had the discipline not to do it," Stoneman said. "I know the media, and therefore the fans, are really looking with excitement about the trade deadline, but it doesn't mean you do something crazy just to make a headline. That's not what it's about."
The Angels put left-hander C.J. Wilson on the 15-day disabled list with left elbow inflammation before the opener of their Freeway Series with the Dodgers. The Angels also recalled right-hander Drew Rucinski from Triple-A Salt Lake and optioned Efren Navarro to the minors.
Wilson is 8-8 with a 3.89 ERA this season. He yielded six runs and six hits in four innings in a loss Tuesday in Houston.
Wilson's absence could open a rotation spot next week for right-hander Jered Weaver, who has been out for a month with hip inflammation.
"Every pitcher out there who is pitching in the major leagues is nicked up to some degree," said Scioscia, who was approached by Wilson on Thursday about the problem. "C.J.'s elbow got to a point where it really was tough for him to make the pitches he needed to."
Rucinski or Triple-A starter Nick Tropeano could take Wilson's scheduled turn in the rotation Sunday against the Dodgers.