[Joy in Mudville]

Disappointed with its production at the catching position, the California Angels landed an All-Star in a trade with the Houston Astros Tuesday evening.

California acquired 34-year-old Johnny Edwards from Houston for pitching prospect Frank Tanana.

Edwards, an All-Star last season for the Joy in Mudville champion Astros, won the National League Gold Glove Award. In 20 games this season, Edwards was batting .308 with four home runs and 12 RBIs for the Astros. Last year he hit .276 with seven homers and 57 RBIs.

The Angels desparately needed an upgrade over catchers Don Pavletich and Joe Azcue. Pavletich was batting just .091 in 13 games while Azcue was at .182 in nine games. Between them, Pavletich and Azcue had no home runs and just three RBIs.

Meanwhile, Houston gets a hard-throwing left-hander. In one start with the Angels this season, the 19-year-old Tanana was 0-1 with a 6.75 ERA. Tanana, the 11th overall selection in last June's amateur draft, will be assigned to Houston's Triple-A team in Mendota.

With Edwards now gone, the Astros will turn to 24-year-old Steve Yeager as their full-time catcher. Veteran Larry Howard was recalled from Mendota to serve as Yeager's backup.