OC Register: Angels trade Ian Kinsler to Red Sox

[AngelsWin.com]

The Angels have traded Ian Kinsler to the Boston Red Sox for left-handed pitching prospects Williams Jerez and Ty Buttrey, the second move in the past five days in which they unloaded one of their impending free agents.

The deal was first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

The Angels, who have faded to fourth place in the American League West, acquired Kinsler this winter, getting him from the Detroit Tigers as part of an infield remodel that also included third baseman Zack Cozart. Cozart suffered a season-ending injury last month, and the Angels traded Gold Glove catcher Martin Maldonado to the Houston Astros last week.

While the injury-plagued Angels have faded and become clear sellers going into Tuesday’s 1 p.m. PT non-waiver trade deadline, Kinsler has shaken off a slow start at the plate. Since the All-Star break, Kinsler has hit .452 with five doubles and two home runs in nine games.

Kinsler, 36, is in the final year of his contract, meaning he’s a short-term fix at a position of need for AL East-leading Boston.

Four-time All-Star Dustin Pedroia has played just three games this season. The former World Series MVP returned from offseason knee surgery in late May only to go right back on the disabled list a week later. He’s currently rehabbing at home in Arizona with no indication whether he’ll be able to return this season.

With Pedroia out, the Red Sox have leaned on Eduardo Nunez and Brock Holt, but those two also have been needed at third base and shortstop, and Rafael Devers is on the disabled list with a strained hamstring.

View the full article