Doug Melvin seams to like working on Sundays, as he has now aquired both Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum on Sundays the past few weeks. This was the big (only?) notable news from the weekend, and already, the inevitable comparison to the package the Jays received when they traded Halladay has appeared.
This is from Mark Hulet at FanGraphs:
Neither deal was a great haul for the team receiving prospects back and the Milwaukee package edges Toronto’s because there is one more prospect headed to the Brewers and both Escobar and Cain have MLB experience… although Toronto received the prospect (Drabek) with the highest ceiling out of all the young players that changed hands.
I don't know, I thought the Jays got a pretty good haul from the Phillies. I don't think getting one more (troubled) prospect makes the Greinke haul better. At worst I call it a draw, but I think the upside the Jays get from all 3 prospects trumps KC's return.
This is from Jerry Crasnick at ESPN:
the best recent haul for an elite starting pitcher was garnered by the Toronto Blue Jays, who sent Roy Halladay to Philadelphia last December in exchange...
I think the Jays got a pretty good haul for Halladay considering that AA's back was against the wall, but I'm not really that impressed with the group that Greinke got KC. Also, I'm not sure what the hurry was. Was this really the only offer out there? Were teams like the Yankees, Angels, Rangers, Nationals and Jays not interested at all? Why not sit on this deal for a few weeks and try to drive up other teams prices?
A couple of weeks ago, KC was apparently demanding that both Kyle Drabek and Travis Snider be PART of a deal for Greinke, probably including other prospects. The actual haul includes SS Alcides Escobar, CF Lorenzo Cain, P Jake Odorizzi and P Jeremy Jeffress. Joe Posnanski breaks down the haul, here. My take:
- Escobar is a good fielding, speedy SS but there are questions regarding his bat. Sounds a bit like our Esocbar maybe? Or Hechavarria but further along the development path?
- Cain sounds like a light hitting, toolsy centre fielder. No power, average plate discipline and injury plagued. At 24, he's probably ready for the bigs, but he's no Snider and sounds like a more advanced version of our toolsy minor league CF's.
- Odorizzi only pitched in A ball this year. At 20 years old, he has a long way to go and, according to Posnanski, only projects as a middle of the rotation type pitcher. No way he compares to Drabek for now.
- Jeffress has a great arm, but only throws 2 pitches, has command issues, and has off-field issues with two positive marijauna tests. One more positive test and he is banned from the MLB for life.
Maybe I'm overvaluing Jays prospects, however in my opinion, this isn't even close to a package starting at Snider and Drabek. What does everyone else think? Links after the jump, including two Jays related Roster moves from the weekend.
Jays Links
Twitter / Jerry Crasnick: Former #Angels catcher Rya ...
Pure depth signing here, the Jays sign minor league catcher Ryan Buddle. In four years, he has 18, 3, 3 and 11 MLB Plate Appearances. Will probably serve as the AAA backup to Jeroloman
With Mike Jacobs Gone, Who Will Play 1B for the Las Vegas 51s in 2011? | Jays Journal
In other shocking Jays news, apparently Jacobs signed with the Rockies. Does David Cooper get a shot at AAA next year?
Bob Elliott captures Ball Hall`s Jack Graney Award " Cooperstowners in Canada
Kevin Glew takes a quick look at Bob Elliott's journalism career. And here, he lists the other winners of the Jack Graney Award.
Ghostrunner on First: Be Prepared
Drew thinks the Jays are worse than they were last April, but that they are looking good for the long run.
The 5th starter: A Toronto Blue Jays Blog: Advanced Media: Who Knew?
According to The 5th Starter, the Jays have required Bautista to shut down his Twitter account, due to comments he made regarding not trading Snider or Drabek.
The Ballad of Tom Henke " Mop Up Duty
Callum Hughson posts "The Ballad of Tom Henke" by the Section 15 Orchestra.
Top 50 Jays Prospects, Jays Journal Edition: #45 Daniel Webb | Jays Journal | A Toronto Blue Jays Blog
Jays Journal is on #45 of the 'Everything you need to know about every prospect list'. Number 46 and Number 47 were also posted over the weekend.
Around the League
Would MLB Block Jose Canseco? | Blog Archive | Getting Blanked
Parkes wonders in the MLB will even let Conseco attempt a comeback.
Angels make 'significant' offer to Beltre - The Globe and Mail
The Angles offer 5 years/$70M. If they sign him, it drops our Downs draft pick from the 2nd round to the 3rd round.