Red Sox Begin Expected Selloff by Trading Shane Victorino
With the Boston Red Sox well out of contention in the American League East, the club is expected to be major sellers ahead of the July 31st trade deadline. They got the ball rolling Monday, trading veteran outfielder Shane Victorino to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. In return, the Red Sox received Triple-A infielder Josh Rutledge. Several additional moves are expected before the week is out.
While the Victorino trade was much overdue, it’s important to remember his invaluable contributions during the 2013 World Series season. Victorino was as clutch as they come, knocking in 12 runs in 14 postseason games that season. The “Flying Hawaiian” secured his fourth career gold glove in 2013 as well. But all good things must come to an end. It’s unfortunate Victorino’s run in Boston ended with multiple disabled-list stints, but now the door is open for the future in Rusney Castillo.
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“In my opinion, we wouldn’t have won the World Series without him in ’13,” said GM Ben Cherington on Monday. “Obviously, the DL time got in the way and got in the way of him making same contributions the last two years.
Castillo was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket to replace Victorino on the 25-man roster. Castillo did struggle mightily in his previous stint with the Red Sox, but with the opportunity to play everyday, the $72-million man will now have a chance to silence all the doubters.
Rutledge will likely spend the remainder of the season in Triple-Pawtucket. In 310 plate appearances for Salt Lake, the utility man smacked five homers and tallied 32 RBI.
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The Red Sox will likely look to move the slumping Mike Napoli, reliever Alexi Ogando and closer Koji Uehara, among others. Napoli and Uehara are the most intriguing of the bunch. Napoli can provide some power and pop for a team battling it out for a playoff spot. The demand for relief pitching is great across the league. Uehera should be able to fetch the Red Sox quite a bit.
With just three full days remaining ahead of the deadline, it’s time to start prepping for a new-look ball club.