We have a trade.
According to Fox Sports Jon Morosi, the Los Angeles Angels acquired outfielder Shane Victorino from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge and cash.
The move, while not monumental, makes sense for the Angels. The club has primarily used Matt Joyce in left field, which has yielded disappointing results. In 86 games, Joyce is batting below the Mendoza line with a .178 AVG with five home runs. Even if the club had intended to stick with Joyce, he suffered a concussion last weekend in a game against the Texas Rangers.
Victorino represents an competent upgrade. While the man known as “The Flying Hawaiian” isn’t an MVP candidate like he was in 2013, but he should provide the Angels with an immediate upgrade. His numbers have been pedestrian, as the 34-year-old has a .245 AVG, .324 OBP and only one home run in 34 games, but those numbers are likely down considering his hamstring and calf issues caused him to hit the DL twice earlier this season.
He’s managed to stay healthy, so it seems to have put his injury problems behind him. But of course, the Angels may be best to err on the side caution considering he’s only played half a season worth of games in two years. Either way, not having Joyce’s bat in the lineup every day should be a plus. Any positive impact Victorino can provide is also a plus.
The Red Sox side of things in this deal is shedding some salary. Victorino is in the final year of his 3-year $39 million deal and they’ll have some savings from sending Victorino and some cash to the Angels. Rutledge is a 26-year-old who hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2014, so it’s safe to assume he’s not a big part of the return. With the move, the Sox clear up another space in their crowded outfield.
All-in-all, this seems like a good, safe move for both clubs.
