Red Sox dump Scutaro

The 36-year-old Scutaro hit a career-high .299 for the Red Sox last year.

January 21, 2012, 7:37 pm

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

DENVER -- The Colorado Rockies have acquired infielder Marco Scutaro from the Boston Red Sox for right-hander Clayton Mortensen.

The 36-year-old Scutaro hit a career-high .299 for the Red Sox last year, when he had 26 doubles, seven homers, 54 RBIs and a .358 on-base percentage.

He was projected as Boston's starting shortstop but will play second base and bat second in Colorado, where the Rockies also have added Michael Cuddyer and Ramon Martinez in an off-season makeover following last year's disappointing slide.

Mortensen, 26, went 2-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 16 games between the Rockies' rotation and their bullpen last season.

The Rockies targeted Scutaro for months and taking on his US$6 million contract gives the Red Sox financial flexibility to make a run at free agent Roy Oswalt.

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