The Boston Red Sox may own the best record in baseball, but they've still decided to make a move before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline.
Boston acquired veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler and cash considerations from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for minor-league pitchers Ty Buttrey and Williams Jerez, the team announced Monday night.
Los Angeles will also send $1.8 million to the Red Sox to cover half of the remaining $3.6 million on Kinsler's contract, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal.
"He's the closest teammate I've ever had to Dustin Pedroia," Red Sox starter David Price told reporters, including Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe, when asked for his opinion of the newly acquired Kinsler. "He brings that intensity, that fire, every single day. He's a gamer. He'll make any team better and I'm definitely happy we got him."
Price and Kinsler were teammates with the Detroit Tigers from 2014-15.
The Angels initially traded for Kinsler last December, but his time on the West Coast was short-lived. The 36-year-old is set to become a free agent at season's end, and Los Angeles currently sits nine games out of an American League wild-card spot.
After struggling at the plate throughout the first two months of this season, Kinsler has been much better lately. He should provide the Red Sox with insurance at second base, as Dustin Pedroia is unsure if he'll return this year due to issues with his surgically repaired left knee.
Ian Kinsler - monthly splits:
| MONTH | PA | H | HR | RBI | AVG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MAR/APR | 65 | 13 | 1 | 2 | .224 | .585 |
| MAY | 120 | 23 | 2 | 7 | .213 | .635 |
| JUNE | 122 | 25 | 8 | 13 | .219 | .744 |
| JULY | 84 | 24 | 2 | 10 | .320 | .860 |
Kinsler, a four-time All-Star and 2016 Gold Glove winner, is hitting .239/.304/.406 overall this season, which includes 13 homers, 20 doubles, and 32 RBIs in 91 games.
Buttrey is a 25-year-old right-hander. He's appeared in 32 games for Triple-A Pawtucket this season, posting a 2.25 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. His strikeout numbers are impressive, with 64 Ks in 44 innings.
Jerez is a 26-year-old left-hander who converted to pitching after being drafted in the second round of the 2011 draft as an outfielder.
Like Buttrey, he's spent this entire season in Pawtucket's bullpen, making 33 appearances and striking out 11.7 batters per nine innings while recording a 3.68 ERA and 1.38 WHIP.
