Angels acquire Victorino from Sox
The Los Angeles Angels acquired veteran outfielder Shane Victorino and more than $3.8 million from the Boston Red Sox on Monday for infielder Josh Rutledge.
The 34-year-old Victorino is a two-time World Series champion, a two-time All-Star and a four-time Gold Glove winner. He has spent the past three years in Boston, batting .245 in just 33 games this season with two stints on the disabled list.
Overall, Victorino has hit .276 with 108 home runs, 486 RBIs and 229 stolen bases in 12 major league seasons, including stints with the Padres, Phillies, Los Angeles Dodgers and the Red Sox.
Boston will pay the Angels $3,801,639 as part of the trade. By the time Victorino reports today, he will be owed $5,655,737 of his $15 million salary this year.
Victorino mostly played right field for Boston, but is likely to play in left field against left-handers for the Angels. Los Angeles has struggled at the position since owner Arte Moreno got rid of Josh Hamilton in April.
Matt Joyce was expected to be the primary starter in left, but he is batting .178 in an awful season. Joyce also might have incurred a concussion in Sunday’s win over Texas. Rutledge has spent this season in the minors after playing in 105 games for the Angels last season.
Mets land Clippard from A’s
In their second trade in four days, the Mets acquired closer Tyler Clippard from Oakland on Monday for minor league pitcher Casey Meisner in a swap of right-handers that increases New York’s payroll by a little more than $2 million.
The 30-year-old Clippard, who is eligible for free agency after this season, is 1-3 with a 2.79 ERA and 17 saves in 21 chances. The Athletics obtained him from Washington in January.
On Friday night, the Mets acquired infielder Juan Uribe and utilityman Kelly Johnson in a deal with Atlanta.
When Clippard reports today, there will be $3,129,508 remaining from his $8.3 million salary. Oakland will pay the Mets $1 million as part of the trade.
Meisner, 20, was a third-round draft pick in 2013. He is 10-4 with a 2.35 ERA in 18 starts in the minors this season.
New York’s payroll has gone up by about $4.46 million with the two deals.
A-Rod achieves milestones
Alex Rodriguez homered on his 40th birthday, helping the New York Yankees beat the Texas Rangers 6-2 Monday night.
A-Rod’s solo drive in the sixth off Matt Harrison (1-2) made him only the fourth player in major league history to homer both as a teenager and in his 40s, according to STATS, joining joined Ty Cobb, Rusty Staub and Gary Sheffield.
Rodriguez hit his big league-best sixth homer on his birthday, STATS said, breaking a tie with Todd Helton, Chipper Jones, Derrek Lee and Al Simmons.
Tulowitzki to Toronto?
Fox Sports reported late Monday night the Colorado Rockies are trading Troy Tulowitzki to the Toronto Blue Jays in a deal for Jose Reyes and minor leaguers.
If the trade indeed goes through, it would be a major moment for Colorado. Tulowitzki, in the midst of a six-year, $118 million contract that runs through 2020, is a five-time All-Star hitting .300 with 12 home runs and 53 runs batted in this season.