Atlanta ? The Los Angeles Angels already have the best record in baseball. That didn’t stop them from making a bold move two days before the trade deadline.

With their sights set firmly on the World Series, the Angels pulled off a blockbuster deal Tuesday to acquire slugger Mark Teixeira from the fading Atlanta Braves.

Los Angeles sent first baseman Casey Kotchman and minor league pitcher Steve Marek to the Braves, who raised the white flag on this season after a rash of key injuries.

“Our goal is to win a world championship,” Angels general manager Tony Reagins said. “The team is playing well at this point, but being able to add a player like Mark Teixeira just makes us that much better.”

Los Angeles went into Tuesday night’s game at Boston with an 111â2-game cushion in the AL West, by far the most commanding lead for any first-place team. But the Angels were more concerned with setting up a roster that can go all the way in October.

“Hopefully, I can just go over there and be one more piece of the puzzle,” Teixeira said before leaving Turner Field.

The first baseman is making $12.5 million and will be eligible for free agency after the season. Atlanta general manager Frank Wren said the team was rebuffed in spring training when it offered Teixeira a deal that would have made him “one of the highest-paid players in the game.”