The New York Yankees finalized their trade for outfielder Vernon Wells, acquiring the three-time All-Star from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for a pair of Class A prospects, outfielder Exicardo Cayones and left-handed pitcher Kramer Sneed.
The deal was first reported Sunday and was completed once the 34-year-old Wells passed a physical Tuesday. The Angels will reportedly pay $28.1 million of the remaining $42 million owed to Wells over the next two seasons.
Wells hit .230 with 11 homers in 262 plate appearances last season and has 259 career home runs and a .292 batting average in 14 seasons.
He played 12 seasons for the Toronto Blue Jays before being traded to the Angels in 2011. Wells hit just .222 over the past two seasons with 36 home runs and 95 runs batted in while earning $21 million per year.
However, the Yankees are gambling on a rebound season from Wells at the plate as they cope with injuries to Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and Derek Jeter, all of whom will open the season on the disabled list.
Wells was batting .361 for the Angels this spring, but at-bats were going to be difficult to come by in an outfield featuring Mike Trout, Josh Hamilton and Peter Bourjos, who the front office wants to see get significant playing time. The Angels also reduce their opening day payroll from $160 million to $153 million, reducing their luxury-tax burden.