NEW YORK -- The Anaheim Angels traded troubled outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington-bound Expos for outfielder Juan Rivera and prospect Maicer Izturis.
"It was the best thing that could happen, taking into
consideration the way things ended last season between us,"
Guillen told the AP from his home in Miami. "I'm excited to be a
part of the Expos and part of history, now that we'll play in the
U.S. capital."
Guillen was suspended for the last eight games of the regular
season and dropped from Anaheim's playoff roster after he threw a
tantrum in the dugout and clubhouse when he was removed for a
pinch-runner on Sept. 25. In a grievance settlement, he agreed to
allow the Angels to withhold two days' pay.
Guillen hit .294 with 27 homers and a career-high 104 RBI in 2004. He is owed $3.5 million next season.
Angels general manager Bill Stoneman told Guillen of the trade.
"I don't have any hard feelings toward Anaheim," Guillen said.
Rivera, acquired by Montreal from the New York Yankees in the Nick Johnson trade last December, hit .307 for the Expos with 12
homers and 49 RBI in his first full major league season.
Izturis, the younger brother of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop
Cesar Izturis, hit .338 with 65 runs scored, 19 doubles, three
homers and 36 RBI for Triple-A Edmonton. He made his major league debut Aug. 27 and batted .206 with five doubles, two triples and four RBI in 107 at-bats with Montreal.
New Expos general manager Jim Bowden has been busy this week. He earlier agreed to a $16.8 million, four-year contract with
shortstop Cristian Guzman, and a $6.2 million, two-year deal with
third baseman Vinny Castilla.
"You're always thrilled to add a young, premium player with
30-home run, 100-RBI potential in the middle of a lineup,"
Bowden said. "What I especially like about Guillen is that, at
the age of 28, his best days are clearly ahead of him."
Bowden resurrected Guillen's career once before when he was the
general manager of the Cincinnati Reds. He signed Guillen in
August of 2002 after he had been released by both Arizona and
Colorado that season.
Guillen enjoyed a breakout season in 2003 when he hit .337 with
23 homers and 63 RBI before Bowden dealt him to Oakland on July
30. Guillen hit .265 with eight homers and 23 RBI the remainder
of the season with the Athletics.
Information from The Associated Press and SporsTicker was used in this report.