Cleveland Indians press release…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 3, 2012
INDIANS ACQUIRE INF MIKE AVILES & CA/INF YAN GOMES FROM TORONTO
CLEVELAND, OH – The Cleveland Indians today announced the club acquired INF MIKE AVILES and CA/INF YAN GOMES from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for RHP ESMIL ROGERS.
AVILES, 31, appeared in 136 games for the Red Sox as their starting shortstop last season, batting .250 with 13 HR and 60 RBI. The right-handed hitting versatile middle infielder was originally drafted in the 7th round by the Kansas City Royals in 2003 and just completed his fifth Major League season. After being named the Royals Minor League Player of the Year in 2007, he was the Royals MVP in 2008 and finished fourth in the Rookie of the Year voting after batting .325 with 10 HR and 51 RBI in 102 games. In 475 career games with the Royals and Red Sox, Aviles has posted a .277 average with 39 HR and 190 RBI. He was recently traded on October 21, 2012 from Boston to Toronto in the deal that sent Manager John Farrell to Boston.
GOMES, 25, spent the majority of 2012 season batting .328 (100-305) with 44 RS, 29 2B, 13 HR & 59 RBI in 79 games for AAA Las Vegas. The versatile right-handed hitter also appeared in 43 games in 2012 with Toronto (20G- 1B, 9G- CA, 8G- 3B, 4G- LF, 2G- DH), batting .204 (20-98) with 4 HR, 13 RBI. He became the first Brazilian-born player to reach the Major Leagues with his debut on May 12, 2012 vs. New York Yankees. The Miami, FL native was originally drafted as a catcher by Toronto in the 10th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.
