Los Angeles Angels acquire Shane Victorino from Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox have announced that they’ve traded outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge. Boston will also send an undisclosed amount of cash to Los Angeles in the trade.
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The Angels have long been known to be looking for outfield help, and have evidently found it in the form of Victorino. While he may not fit the mold of a “big bat” like fellow rumored Angels target Jay Bruce, he does give the Angels another option at the top of the lineup. Victorino has hit an underwhelming .245 with two doubles and nine stolen bases in 94 at-bats this year, but could see his production improve with more consistent playing time in Anaheim. With Rutledge going to Boston, the move also saves the Angels prospect ammunition to potentially go after a pitcher or another bat, which would become more of a realistic notion if the Angels cut bait with Matt Joyce.
For the Red Sox, the deal helps clear up an outfield logjam that has long clogged the Boston roster. Cuban defector Rusney Castillo has spent much of the year at AAA in order to receive regular at-bats, and Alejandro De Aza and Daniel Nava have also missed out on getting regular at-bats as a result of the cluster the Red Sox have.
The move doesn’t entirely clear things up, especially with prospects Bryce Brentz and Henry Ramos knocking on the door to the big leagues. But it does clear things up some, and will also presumably save Boston some cash with a part of Victorino’s contract off the books.