Yankees Trade Rumors: Angels Looking To Deal Vernon Wells To New York?

With the Los Angeles Angels signing outfielder Josh Hamilton to a five-year $125 million deal earlier this week, their outfield has gotten a bit crowded and they are currently shopping Vernon Wells.

One of the rumored destinations for Wells is the New York Yankees, according to Fox Sports.

The 14-year veteran appeared in just 77 games for Los Angeles last season, with a .230 average and 11 home runs along with 29 RBIs.

Wells is far removed from his All-Star and Golden Glove years in Toronto from 2003 to 2006, but the Yankees could use another veteran bat if they choose to let Nick Swisher go via free agency.

Though floating the idea of a trade for Wells could be New York’s tactic to bring Swisher’s price tag down. Last season, Swisher hit 24 home runs and drove in 93 runs, and reportedly Philadelphia, Cleveland, and Boston have shown interest.

Now at 34-years-old, Wells has two years and $42 million left on the seven-year $126 million deal he originally signed with the Blue Jays at the end of 2006. If the Angels do move Wells, they would undoubtedly eat most the money owed and Wells would have to waive his no-trade clause. Though New York has some competition for Wells, with Philadelphia and Tampa also showing interest.

Should the Yankees and Angels fail to consummate a deal for Wells, New York also has rumored interest in Scott Hairston to complete its outfield. The nine-year journeyman has spent the last two seasons with the New York Mets, and last year hit 20 home runs and knocked in 57 RBIs with a .263 average.

Hairston or Wells would join recently re-signed outfielders Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki in the starting lineup next year.