The LA Angels have traded for veteran outfielder Shane Victorino from the Red Sox in exchange for infielder Josh Rutledge. Tim Brown from Yahoo Sports was the first to report the news.
Industry source says Angels close to acquiring Shane Victorino.
— Tim Brown (@TBrownYahoo) July 27, 2015
Boston will also send an unidentified amount of cash to Los Angeles to help cover Victornio’s salary. The flying Hawaiian had $4.5 million remaining on his current deal with Boston as it appears the Sox will likely be covering a large portion. The Pirates were the other known team interested in trading for the veteran outfielder.
The trade makes sense for LA as the current group platoon of Matt Joyce and Daniel Robertson simply isn’t cutting. The team will likely view Victorino as their 4th outfielder so it remains to be seen whether Joyce or Robertson will stick with the Angels. The flying Hawaiian has been known to be a clutch postseason performer and could be exactly what the Angels need to dethrone the surprising Houston Astros in the AL West.
The trade for Boston makes sense as well as it allows the team to call up Rusney Castillo. With Boston aiming to rebuilding towards 2016 Victorino will likely not be the last veteran Red Sox to be dealt as Mike Napoli, Koji Uehara, Junichi Tazawa, and Alexi Ogando could also be moved.
