Someone suggested this morning that the two players the Angels acquired for Vernon Wells on Tuesday, Exicardo Cayones and Kramer Sneed, would be good title characters in a Buddy Comedy. Look out Harold and Kumar…here come Exicardo and Kramer!
It’s official.
Vernon Wells has passed his physical and Major League Baseball has signed off on a trade sending the outfielder to the New York Yankees.
The Angels received Exicardo Cayones and Kramer Sneed from the Yankees. Cayones, a 21-year-old outfielder, finished last season in the Yankees’ Low-A affiliate in the New York Penn League. Sneed, a 24-year-old pitcher, went 0-7 with a 5.37 ERA with the Yankees’ affiliate in the High-A Florida State League in 2012.
The Yankees will also send approximately $13 million to Anaheim over the next two years to offset some of Wells’ salary.
Wells, who cost the Angels Mike Napoli and Juan Rivera in a January 2011 trade with the Blue Jays, was a major disappointment on the field during his two seasons in Anaheim.
In 2011, one year removed from his third career all-star appearance, Wells batted .218 with a .248 on-base percentage and .412 slugging percentage. His batting average was the lowest among qualifying American League players.
In 2012, Wells was relegated to the bench when Mike Trout emerged as the Angels’ everyday center fielder and eventual American League rookie of the year. Wells played only 77 games, batting .230/.279/.403.
Meanwhile, he continued to earn the team’s highest salary as a result of the seven-year, $126 million contract he signed with Toronto in 2008.
Now that Wells is gone, here’s your chance to chime in:
The proposed trade that would send Vernon Wells to the New York Yankees still isn’t complete. Multiple sources have confirmed reports that Wells won’t take his physical until Tuesday, at which point the trade can become official.
We still don’t know what the Angels will receive from the Yankees in return for Wells, other than something in the neighborhood of $6-8 million per year over the next two years. That’s a nice chunk of change but it still only partially offsets the approximately $42 million left on Wells’ contract.
For the Angels, trading Wells opens a spot for Kole Calhoun or J.B. Shuck to earn the fourth outfielder job. Shuck doubled Monday to raise his Cactus League batting average to .357; Calhoun is batting .200.
More updates as we get ’em, but there might not be any until tomorrow.
The Angels and Yankees are discussing a trade that would send Vernon Wells to New York, according to multiple reports Sunday.
Wells, 34, is the Angels’ highest paid player at $49.3 million over the next two seasons. He also has a no-trade clause. John Heyman of CBSSports.com wrote on his Twitter account Sunday that Wells would waive the no-trade clause if the trade being discussed is consummated.
Few teams can consider eating Wells’ salary, but the Yankees have a historically big budget and the need for lineup help. Shortstop Derek Jeter isn’t expected to debut until April 6, Mark Teixeira until June and Alex Rodriguez until after the All-Star break.
Wells is not in the Angels’ lineup today against the San Francisco Giants.
Update, 4:17 p.m.: The deal is not official but Wells hinted that he’ll be in a Yankee uniform soon via Twitter:
Thankful and Blessed!#Pinstripes
— Vernon Wells (@VernonWells10) March 24, 2013