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The Boston Red Sox became sellers today as they traded outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels, who are trying to hold off the Houston Astros in the American League West, for infielder Josh Rutledge.
Victorino was selected in the 6th round of the 1999 MLB Draft by the Los Angeles Dodgers, and has played for 4 teams so far in his 12-year career. A career .276 hitter with 108 home runs and 229 stolen bases, he was a key component of the Red Sox’ 2013 World Series championship team.
The 2015 season has been one with limited action for Victorino, a 4-time Gold Glove winner who can play all 3 outfield positions. He has spent time on the disabled list twice already (April 25 – May 11 with a right hamstring strain and May 24 – July 3 with a left calf strain) and has played in just 33 games this season.
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Victorino will join Mike Trout and Kole Calhoun in the Angel outfield. Trout is having an amazing season, hitting .315 with 31 home runs and 64 RBIs, while Calhoun is also having a solid year, hitting .276 with 13 home runs and 56 RBIs.
The Angels are hoping that Victorino’s post-season experience and veteran leadership will help to bring a championship back to the franchise. They won the World Series in their only appearance back in 2002. With stars like Trout and Albert Pujols, they are hoping to win it all again, and Victorino may just be the piece that puts them over the top.
Rutledge has played second base, third base, and shortstop for the AAA Salt Lake Bees this season. He was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 3rd round of the 2010 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama, and has spent parts of 3 seasons with the Rockies, getting the starts at shortstop after Troy Tulowitzki went down with a hip injury.
Victorino is a free agent at the end of the season. Rutledge’s contract expires at the end of the season and he will be eligible for arbitration.
All statistics are courtesy of Baseball-Reference.com and MLB.com
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