WASHINGTON (AP) – 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.

“It was the best thing that could happen, taking into consideration the way things ended last season between us,” Guillen told The Associated Press from his home in Miami. “I’m excited to be a part of the Expos and part of history, now that we’ll play in the U.S. capital.”

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 trade caps a busy week for Bowden, who was known for his aggressive dealing when he was with the Reds. On Tuesday, the Expos agreed to a $16.8 million, four-year contract with shortstop Cristian Guzman, and a $6.2 million, two-year deal with third baseman Vinny Castilla. Bowden also re-signed manager Frank Robinson for another year, and Jose Rijo said Friday he will be the team’s pitching coach.

Bowden’s next priorities are more pitching and a backup catcher.

The on-field moves have led a paralleled existence with the off-the-field developments regarding the relocation from Montreal. The team began taking $300 deposits for season tickets this week, receiving more than 11,500 deposits by Friday afternoon, even as baseball owners postponed a planned vote to approve the move. Approval by the owners is expected next month, as well as approval by the District of Columbia government on the required stadium deal.

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.

Bowden began talks with Angels general manager Bill Stoneman regarding Guillen even before officially becoming the Expos’ general manager on Nov. 2. Guillen, who likely will play right field in Washington, hit .294 with 27 homers and a career-high 104 RBIs this year. He is owed $3.5 million next season, a bargain big bat that the Expos can afford.

“I’d trust my children with him,” Bowden said. “Good people make mistakes, too. People in life deserve second chances. He’s maturing, on and off the field.”

Stoneman said the trade was made in part to get center fielder Garret Anderson back to left field, but Guillen’s antics also were a factor.

“I’m not going to deny that the issue didn’t have something to do with it,” Stoneman said. “We know we’re losing a big RBI guy, but going forward, we’ll fill those spots.”

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said, “Jose would have been welcomed back.”

“Jose took responsibility for his actions. Hopefully, he’ll be a better person for what happened,” Scioscia said. “If he had been with our club next year, it’s something we would have made work.”

Rivera, acquired by Montreal from the New York Yankees in the Nick Johnson trade last December, hit .307 for the Expos with 12 homers and 49 RBIs in his first full major league season.

Izturis, the younger brother of Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Cesar Izturis, hit .338 with 65 runs scored, 19 doubles, three homers and 36 RBIs for Triple-A Edmonton. He made his major league debut Aug. 27 and batted .206 with five doubles, two triples and four RBIs in 107 at-bats with Montreal.

Stoneman said he was looking at Chone Figgins as a possible center fielder, “or maybe somebody later.”

“In terms of Rivera, we spoke to the Yankees two years ago trying to obtain him. He gives us a right-handed bat to play the outfield,” Stoneman said. “Izturis is a young, up-and-coming middle infield guy who can really run. Last year when I visited Salt Lake to watch our affiliate there play Edmonton, Izturis is the guy who really stood out in the series.

“He’s a little-bitty guy, but he can play baseball.”

Rijo said he received an offer two weeks ago from Bowden to become the Expos’ pitching coach. The Dominican retired from the majors in 2001 with a 111-87 record and 3.15 ERA in 13 seasons with the New York Yankees, Oakland A’s and Reds.

“I decided to accept the job, but I won’t sign the official contract until December 9,” Rijo said.

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Associated Press Writers Ronald Blum in New York, Enrique Rojas in Santo Domingo and Ken Peters and John Nadel in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

AP-ES-11-19-04 1915EST