Angels trade Scioscia's son for Gretzky's son

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Angels have traded Mike Scioscia's son for Wayne Gretzky's son.

Outfield prospect Trevor Gretzky, the son of the greatest hockey player of all time, was dealt Thursday from the Cubs to the Angels in exchange for first-base prospect Matt Scioscia, the son of the Angels' longtime manager and former Dodgers catcher.

"Simply giving two players a new opportunity," Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto said of the bizarre trade via text.

Gretzky, a 21-year-old left-handed hitter who plays left field and some first base, is a product of Southern California who starred at Oaks Christian High School in Westlake, Calif. He was selected by the Cubs in the seventh round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft. He batted .304 in 35 games of rookie ball in 2012 and spent the 2013 season at both of the Cubs' Class A affiliates (Boise and Kane), batting .274/.300/.333 in 41 games.

Scioscia, a 25-year-old right-handed hitter who has also spent a little bit of time catching, was drafted by the Angels in the 41st round out of high school in Encino, Calif., in 2007, and then in the 45th round out of the University of Notre Dame in 2011. Scioscia has played in a combined 127 games in his three-year Minor League career, batting .222/.264/.280.

Asked about the trade, Mike Scioscia, who typically shies away from talking about his son publicly, said only: "It's part of baseball; a good opportunity for Matt."