If you are having trouble keeping track of this swarm of Blue Jays news, this is the post for you.
First, the Blue Jays acquired Mark Lowe from Seattle in exchange for three left-handed pitchers:
The @BlueJays have acquired RHP Mark Lowe from Seattle in exchange for Nick Wells, Jacob Brentz and Rob Rasmussen
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 31, 2015
Mark Lowe is a 32 year old right-handed reliever and is having an exceptional season. He broke out this year after signing a minor league contract with the Mariners, and currently posts a 1.00 ERA, 1.83 FIP, & 2.40 xFIP. As per Fangraphs, he throws a 95 mph fastball and 86 mph slider. He has been excellent against both lefties and righties this season, so he figures to become a major part of Toronto's bullpen.
Jacob Brentz and Nick Wells, 20 and 19 respectively, were both pitching in rookie ball. Scouting reports from last March can be found here from Kiley McDaniel of Fangraphs. To find them quickly, they ranked 28th and 33rd respectively.
Rob Rasmussen, 26, had been pitching in AAA out of the bullpen. He posted a 2.36 ERA and 3.01 FIP this season, but only pitched one inning for the major league team in 2015.
The Blue Jays also acquired Ben Revere from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for right-handers Alberto Tirado and Jimmy Cordero.
Trade official: Ben Revere and cash to #BlueJays; right-handers Jimmy Cordero and Alberto Tirado to #Phillies.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2015
Additionally, it sounds like Revere will platoon in LF and hit towards the bottom of the order:
Gibbons: Ben Revere will platoon in LF. Will hit low in the order. Gibbons likes what he has at top of order. #BlueJays #MLB
— Scott MacArthur (@ScottyMacThinks) July 31, 2015
Revere, 27, will be controllable for the next two seasons and makes $4.1 million this year. He consistently posts high batting averages, but does not have a high walk rate or much power. He posted 2.1 WAR last season, so he seems to be a solid regular.
Tirado, 20, ranked 17th on Kiley's list. He displays strong velocity and a filthy slider, but has issues limiting walks. He has pitched out of the bullpen this season for A+ Dunedin.
Cordero, 23, is a right-handed reliever known for topping 100 mph. He was pitching for AA New Hampshire where he posted a 3.8 FIP.
There was also a minor trade made today, as Felix Doubront was dealt to Oakland for cash:
#BlueJays trade LHP Felix Doubront to #Athletics for cash. He was DFA'd earlier this week.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 31, 2015
In other news, Devon Travis has been placed on the 15-day disabled list:
#Bluejays put Devon Travis on the DL retroactive to July 29, hopefully he'll only be out 2-3 weeks this time. The move makes room for Price.
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) July 31, 2015
Edwin Encarnacion is back in the lineup tonight against the Royals:
#BlueJays vs #Royals pic.twitter.com/Tdo8X6Gx22
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 31, 2015
Finally, John Gibbons says that David Price will start on Monday against the Twins:
Gibby says Price starts Monday, Revere hits 9th. I'm thinking Revere sits vs LHP so both Colabello and Valencia can play. #Bluejays #Jays
— Mike Wilner (@Wilnerness590) July 31, 2015