Red Sox trade Rich Hill to Angels for cash considerations

We have our first trade of July. The Angels announced that they have acquired left-hander Rich Hill from the Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations, and that they have added Hill to their active roster. Hill will be activated for today's doubleheader against the White Sox.

Hill had an opt-out clause in his contract that would allow him to head elsewhere if a major league opportunity presented itself, so the Red Sox and Angels worked out a trade similar to the deal that sent Brad Mills from the Brewers to the Athletics in mid-June.

Hill, who was signed to a minor league deal during the offseason, is 3-3 with a 3.23 ERA in 25 appearances with Triple-A Pawtucket this season. There was no room for him in the Red Sox' bullpen due to the success of lefties Craig Breslow and Andrew Miller.

The Angels, who have been shopping for left-handed relief help after injuries sidelined southpaws Mark Mulder, Tyler Skaggs, Brian Moran and Sean Burnett, had been working with zero lefties in the bullpen before the addition of Hill. He is the second reliever to join the Angels' pen in a trade in recent days, joining former Pirates closer Jason Grilli.

In nine major league seasons with the Cubs (2005-2008), Orioles (2009), Red Sox (2010-2012) and Indians (2013), Hill owns a lifetime 24-22 record and 4.74 ERA. He struggled in the majors with Cleveland last year, posting a 6.28 ERA in 63 appearances.