Red Sox Trade for Mike Aviles

By KC Downey in Featured, Red Sox, Top Story ⋅ July 30, 2011 at 4:06pm ⋅ Post a comment

The Red Sox have made their first move as the trade deadline nears, dealing away 23-year-old infielder Yamaico Navarro and minor league right-hander Kendal Volz for Royals infielder Mike Aviles.

The 30-year-old Aviles can play 2B/3B/SS, but has had a rough season at the plate. He’s hitting just .222 with 5 HRs and 31 RBI in 53 games. He’s been strong, though, against lefties this season (.309/.344/.600) in 55 at bats, and has been a nuisance against lefties over the course of his career (.296/.343/.464).

Aviles had a great rookie campaign in 2008, hitting .325 with 10 HRs and 51 RBI in 102 games, and also was impressive last season (.304, 8 HR, 32 RBI).

You also may remember that while with the Royals earlier in the week, Aviles tagged out Josh Reddick on the failed suicide squeeze in extra innings, and ended up laying down the game-winning sacrifice bunt in the top of the 14th against the Red Sox.

Navarro, who was being groomed as a super-utility infielder, can play all four infield positions and has been given some time in the outfield. He’s only played in 16 games this season though, hitting just .216/.275/.351.

The 23-year-old Volz has a 3.33 ERA in 30 games as a reliever for Class-A Salem. He was taken in the ninth round of the 2009 draft.