Blue Jays find taker for Rivera in Dodgers
Outfielder Juan Rivera batted .243 with six home runs and 27 RBIs in 70 games before the Blue Jays released him on July 3.
The Toronto Blue Jays have traded outfielder Juan Rivera to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for a player to be named or cash considerations.
Los Angeles also reportedly acquired cash in the deal.
The 33-year-old Rivera appeared in 70 games for the Blue Jays this season, batting .243 with six home runs and 27 runs batted in prior to being designated for assignment on July 3, the same day Travis Snider was recalled from AAA Las Vegas.
Rivera was acquired by Toronto on Jan. 21 along with catcher Mike Napoli from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for centre-fielder Vernon Wells.
Rivera hit only .176 with a in his final two weeks with the Jays and posted a disappointing .666 slugging percentage overall.
Rivera, who will make $5.25 million US this season, was acquired by Toronto on Jan. 21 along with catcher Mike Napoli from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for centre-fielder Vernon Wells.
Napoli was then dealt to the Texas Rangers for reliever Frank Francisco.
Weak defensively as a Blue Jay, some would say Rivera could use a change of scenery. The Dodgers probably will use him in a platoon role against left-handed pitchers.
“Juan will provide us with a right-handed hitting counterpart to Tony Gwynn Jr. and can also fill in for James Loney from time to time at first base,” Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said in a statement.
In 11 big-league seasons with the Yankees, Expos, Angels and Blue Jays, Rivera has a .277 average with 118 home runs and 446 RBIs.
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