Aviles credits Francona with helping him prepare

BOSTON -- The list of players who have been traded for a manager is a short one. Indians utility man Mike Aviles takes pride in the fact that he was involved in the deal that brought manager John Farrell to the Red Sox, because he understands how badly Boston wanted to pry Farrell away from Toronto.

"I take it more as an honor," Aviles said. "I know how much the Red Sox valued John Farrell and what he brought to the table. In order for them to get the manager that they wanted, [they traded me]. I take it as an honor. Other people might take it another way, but that's how I take it."

The trade took place on Oct. 21, 2012, sending Aviles temporarily to the Blue Jays. As fate would have it, Aviles was later flipped -- along with catcher Yan Gomes -- to the Indians in the Nov. 3 swap that shipped reliever Esmil Rogers north of the border. Now, Aviles once again plays for manager Terry Francona, who managed the Red Sox from 2004-11.

Aviles said that playing for Francona in Boston, and then assuming an everyday role as a shortstop last season, helped prepare him for his super utility role in Cleveland this year.

"Absolutely," Aviles said. "The thing with Tito [Francona] is he always lets me know when I'm going to play. He always gives me the opportunity to be prepared for what I need to do. And I think the little bit that I learned over there, and to bring it over here and help the team, it's like everybody understands that the only way we're going to win is going to be together.

"We all have to be on the same page. It starts with Tito. He's on one page and we're all going to be on the same page. That's the biggest thing. You need everybody in this locker room, and then some, to all be on the same page to try to win ballgames."

Entering Sunday, Aviles has hit .276 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 32 games for the Indians.