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The Minnesota Twins have traded third baseman Danny Valencia to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league outfielder Jeremias Pineda, the Red Sox have announced. Valencia will be optioned to Class Triple-A Pawtucket.
Red Sox today acquired 3B Danny Valencia from Minnesota Twins in exchange for OFJeremias Pineda.Valencia optioned to Pawtucket.
— Boston Red Sox (@RedSox) August 5, 2012
After showing signs of promise in his rookie season, Valencia has struggled mightily at the plate the following two seasons. The Red Sox will be hoping a change-of-scenery will benefit the 27-year-old, who entered today batting .198/.212/.310 in 132 plate appearances this season.
In exchange for Valencia, the Twins don't get much. Pineda is a 21-year-old outfielder playing in the Gulf Coast League. Statistics in that low of a level don't mean much, if anything, but he is batting a scorching .421/.447/.534 with 14 stolen bases in 142 plate appearances over 36 games.