Guillen traded by Anaheim
After a temper tantrum that led to an eight-game suspension and a course in anger management, Jose Guillen needed a change of scenery.
He’ll find it in the nation’s capital. The Anahiem Angels traded Guillen to the Washington-bound Expos — the soon-to-be Nationals — on Friday for outfielder Juan Rivera and prospect Maicer Izturis.
Guillen was suspended for the final eight games of the regular season and dropped from Anaheim’s playoff roster after he threw a tantrum in the dugout and clubhouse when he was removed for a pinch-runner on Sept. 25. In a grievance settlement, he agreed to allow the Angels to withhold two days’ pay.
Expos general manager Jim Bowden, who had Guillen on his Cincinnati Reds roster in 2002 and 2003, thinks Guillen has put the episode behind him.
“He had a difficult learning experience that we feel comfortable that he has learned from,” Bowden said. “He has undergone an anger management course which he has successfully completed. He feels that has really helped him.”
The franchise also will receive its new name — the Nationals — on Monday during a news conference at Union Station, according to a city official and a baseball official who both spoke on condition of anonymity.
Pavano decision not imminent
Former Florida Marlin Carl Pavano is likely to take until mid-December or later before deciding which team to sign with, his agent, Scott Shapiro, said. The free-agent pitcher met Thursday with the Red Sox and visited Boston’s Curt Schilling. Pavano already met earlier this month with Yankees manager Joe Torre in Florida and is planning trips to Seattle, Detroit, New York and Baltimore.
Mariners trade with Padres
The Mariners have traded left-handed pitcher Randy Williams to San Diego for infielder Billy Hogan.
The 29-year-old Williams had a 7-2 record for the Mariners’ AAA Tacoma farm club and made six relief appearances with Seattle after being called up in September.
Hogan, 21, had a combined .219 batting average in 74 games last season in the minor leagues.
The Mariners also added three minor league players to the major league roster: infielder Mike Morse and outfielders Wladimir Balentien and Shin-Soo Choo.
In another move, the Mariners outrighted infielder Ramon Santiago to Tacoma.
Around the league
Kris Benson and Al Leiter are likely to be back with the New York Mets next season after both pitchers neared contract agreements with the team… . Chris Young, approached recently by the Sacramento Kings about playing in the NBA, put aside that option by signing a three-year deal with the Texas Rangers… . The Chicago White Sox avoided arbitration with right-hander Jon Garland, agreeing to a $3.4 million, one-year contract.