Here is the press release:
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have acquired LHP DANA EVELAND from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
EVELAND, 26, appeared in 13 games last season for the Athletics making nine starts and posted a 2-4 record with a 7.16 ERA. The 6-1, 220 lb. left-handed pitcher was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 16th round of the 2002 First Year Player Draft. In parts of five seasons with Milwaukee (2005 & 2006), Arizona (2007) and Oakland (2008 & 2009) the Palmdale, California resident has posted a 13-17 record with one save and a 5.54 ERA in 83 games, 44 starts.
Tom: I don't really understand it, but we want to collect all the pitchers we can get. Here is his career numbers. He had a decent season in 2008. I think our 40 man roster is full so someone will have to be dropped or perhaps Dirk Hayhurst will be put on the 60 day DL. Eveland is out of options, so he can't be sent down unless he clear waivers.
Hugo: I'm snowed in and just got power back, so just found out about this move now. I actually like it quite a bit, as depth moves go. I think it's funny that people here seem to like the pickup of someone like Valdez (or at least think he should/will make the team), a guy with one pitch he can't control at all, but are turning up their noses at a 26-year old lefty starter who has actually shown he can be an effective pitcher. Eveland is still pretty young and while his 2009 was a complete mess, he's only a year removed from a very solid season in 2008. His strengths are keeping the ball on the ground and in the park.
While he obviously struggled mightily in 2009, (although he only made 9 starts) I wouldn't expect another BABIP anywhere near the .390s, so he should bounce back some just on that. He also was hurt by an abnormally low strand rate (63%). His FIP for 2009 was 5.05 (4.09 in 2008 over 29 starts, btw), not fantastic by any means but not nearly as bad as his ERA would suggest and about average for a 5th starter.
I'm not necessarily clamoring for him to make the rotation out of spring training, (though as Tom said, I doubt he would pass through waivers), but it's good to have an option of someone with experience but who still has some potential and upside. If there are injuries or ineffectiveness in some of our young pitchers, he's a much better option to fill in than we had last season in someone like Mike Maroth. And maybe a fresh start in Toronto will help him get his career back on track.
By the way, Jordan Bastian tweeterates that Eveland will come into camp with a shot at a starting job with the Jays.