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Details Of The Vernon Wells Trade

The major players in the Vernon Wells-for Mike Napoli/Juan Rivera trade discussed the move with reporters this evening, and Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has some notable details (all Twitter links).

• Alex Anthopoulos said the Angels first asked about Wells during the Winter Meetings, and then negotiations "heated up over [the] last two weeks." 
• Wells didn't ask to be traded, and the outfielder said he would've only waived his no-trade clause "for probably two teams."  My guess is the other team was Wells' hometown Texas Rangers.
• Moreso than acquiring Napoli and Rivera, Anthopoulos said "The biggest component, it goes without saying, was financial."
• Tony Reagins said the fact that Wells is only under contract through 2014 (when the outfielder is 35) "was attractive to us."  To use Carl Crawford (a rumored Angels target) as an example, the Red Sox are paying Crawford $62.25MM between 2015-17, including $21MM in 2017 when Crawford turns 36 years old.
• With Wells in the fold, it could mean that Bobby Abreu becomes the full-time Angels DH.  This would seem to block Vladimir Guerrero from a return to Los Angeles.  Reagins wouldn't say whether the Angels had "a role" for Guerrero on next year's roster.
• The Angels "still have flexibility" to look for a leadoff hitter, Reagins said.

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