Blue Jays Acquire Jeff Mathis from Angels
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have acquired catcher JEFF MATHIS from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in exchange for left-handed pitcher BRAD MILLS.
MATHIS, 28, batted .174 last season for the Angels with 12 doubles, three home runs and 22 RBI in 93 games. The 6-0, 200 lb. right handed hitter was the Angels first round pick (33rd overall) in the 2001 first year player draft. Last season he led the Angels with 79 starts behind the plate and appeared in 91 games during which time he ranked tied for first among A.L. catchers with a career-best .995 fielding pct. (3 E in 568 TC). In 426 career games he owns a .194 average with 48 doubles, one triple, 26 home runs and 139 RBI. He owns a career fielding pct. of .987 and has thrown out 24% of base stealers.
MILLS, 26, split the 2011 season between Las Vegas (AAA) and Toronto. With the 51s, he started a team-high 24 games posting an 11-9 record with one complete game and a 4.00 ERA in a team-leading 157.1 IP (70 ER). He also paced the team with 136 strikeouts while walking just 39. In five appearances, four starts with Toronto was 1-2 with a 9.82 ERA in 18.1 innings. In parts of three seasons, the 6-0, 185 lb. native of Mesa, AZ was 6-9 with an 8.57 ERA in 41 games, 27 starts.