New York, NY – The New York Yankees completed their trade with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim for Vernon Wells on Tuesday, with the Bronx Bombers sending a pair of minor leaguers to the Angels in exchange for the veteran outfielder.
The Angels will also pay a portion of the $42 million that Wells, a three-time All-Star with the Toronto Blue Jays who has seen his production and playing time decline during the past two seasons, is owed over the next two years. The New York Daily News reported on Monday that the Yankees are expected to receive around $29 million in the transaction.
Anaheim will obtain outfielder Exicardo Cayones and left-handed pitcher Kramer Sneed, neither of whom were regarded as one of New York's top 20 prospects according to MLB.com.
Wells, a three-time Gold Glove recipient as well, is a .273 lifetime hitter with 259 home runs over 14 major league seasons, but batted just .222 with the Angels over the previous two years. He has put together a strong spring, however, posting a .361 average with four homers and 11 RBI in 36 at-bats.
The 34-year-old is the likely favorite to man left field for the injury- plagued Yankees until Curtis Granderson returns from a fractured right forearm that will keep him out until mid-May.
Cayones, 21, hit just .228 with one homer and 15 RBI for New York's short- season Class A affiliate in Staten Island last year. He was acquired by the Yankees from Pittsburgh in February of 2012 as part of the deal that sent pitcher A.J. Burnett to the Pirates.
Sneed spent last season in High Class A Tampa, but went 0-7 with a 5.37 earned run average in 31 games (4 starts). The 24-year-old was a 32nd round pick of the Yankees in the 2010 MLB Draft.
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