Just as it looked like it may be a quiet deadline for the Royals, Dayton Moore has traded utility infielder Mike Aviles to the Boston Red Sox for utility player Yamaico Navarro and minor league pitcher Kendal Volz.
From first appearances it appears to be a solid move for Dayton Moore as Boston website SoxProspects has Navarro ranked ninth overall in the Red Sox minor league system while Volz was 50th.
In acquiring Navarro the Royals pick up a 23-year old shortstop/third basemen whom the Red Sox signed from the Dominican Republic in 2005. In 76 big league games Navarro has a .177/.221/.241 line with one home run. However that is just 79 at-bats. During six minor league season Navarro has batted .280/.349/.432. Last season he hit 11 home runs and had 61 RBI between AA and AAA.
SoxProspects compares him to Juan Uribe. His scouting report can be viewed here.
Volz, is a 6'5" 225 lb left-hander who attend Baylor. He's 23-years old and was currently pitching in the Carolina League (Advanced A). This season he has a 2-3 record out of the bullpen with a 3.33 ERA. He struck out 56 and walked just 12 in 51.1 innings pitched. Volz was a ninth round selection in 2009 by Boston. He projects to be a middle reliever as seen in his scouting report here.
I like this deal as Kansas City picks up a big reliever who has promise, while also acquiring a guy that appears on paper to be a younger version of Mike Aviles himself.