Red Sox trade Victorino to Angels for Rutledge
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The flying Hawaiian is moving a little closer to home.
The Los Angeles Angels acquired outfielder Shane Victorino and cash from the Boston Red Sox on Monday in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge. The Red Sox will reportedly be on the hook for roughly $3.8 million of the $4.9 million remaining on Victorino's deal, according to Alex Speier of the Boston Globe.
"(Victorino) has meant a lot to the team and obviously a part of a very special team in 2013," Red Sox general manager Ben Cherington told reporters. "He leaves a mark on the Red Sox."
Angels general manager Bill Stoneman had been adamant about addressing his corner outfield, with the division leaders receiving a league-worst .589 OPS from left field this season.
Victorino, 34, is set to become a free agent at the end of the season after three years in Boston. He's hitting .245/.324/.298 with one home run and five stolen bases through 33 games while playing right field and hitting exclusively from the right side of the plate.
| Year | GP | HR | AVG/OBP/SLG | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 33 | 1 | .245/.324/.298 | 5 |
| 2014 | 30 | 2 | .268/.303/.382 | 2 |
| 2013 | 122 | 15 | .294/.351/.451 | 21 |
He's missed some time this season with hamstring and calf injuries, but gives the Angels a veteran presence in the outfield with an above-average glove.
"He can help us out at all three (outfield spots)," Stoneman said.
The Angels had been rumored to be in the market for a left-handed, power-hitting corner outfielder, and Stoneman acknowledged more moves could be coming.
"We still have some other things that are going on," he told reporters. "We'll see if it leads somewhere."
Rutledge has spent the entire season with Triple-A Salt Lake, hitting .274/.323/.403 with five home runs, 19 doubles, and 67 strikeouts in 78 games.
The 26-year-old spent three seasons with the Colorado Rockies prior to this season, hitting .269/.323/.405 with 19 home runs while appearing at both shortstop and second base.
Cherington said Rutledge will immediately join the big-league team.
"A guy we can envision as part of the team going forward," Cherington said. "A guy we've had some interest in back to his Colorado days."
Victorino's departure from the Red Sox opens the door for Rusney Castillo, who was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move.