Team Gets Guillen, Extends Robinson

Interim General Manager Jim Bowden kept the hot stove burning, acquiring talented, but troubled outfielder Jose Guillen from the Anaheim Angels for outfieder Juan Rivera and shortstop Maicer Izturis.

Guillen, who followed up a break out 2003 by batting .294 with 27 HR and 104 RBI, fell out of favor with the Angels organization after a confrontation with manager Mike Scioscia just before the end of the season. The spat led to the team suspending Guillen for the final eight games of the regular season and leaving him off the postseason roster.

“I know Guillen from Cincinnati and he’s got a good heart. This is a solid invidual,” Bowden said Friday in a conference call. “I’d trust my children with him. People deserve second chances.”

For his part, after the suspension in September, Guillen enrolled in an anger management course that he still participates in. Bowden also extended the contract of manager Frank Robinson for another season. “Frank’s done a good job,” Bowden said. “Two of the three years he’s been with the team he’s had a winning record with one of smallest markets and smallest payrolls in the league.”

Mike Hume may be emailed at mhume@fcnp.com