Jays trade Grilli to Rangers

The Jays traded Jason Grilli to the Rangers for Eduard Pinto, a 22 year old, left-handed hitting outfielder.

Grilli was great for us, after we picked him up in trade from the Braves, last year. He had a 3.64 ERA in 46 games for us, with 2 saves and 21 holds. He worked as the 8th inning guy.

This year, as you know, he hasn’t been good. 6.97 ERA in 26 games. He seemed to be just throwing the ball up in the strike zone and hoping the batter doesn’t hit it. It didn’t work well.

Pinto was hitting .311/.358/.446 with 4 home runs in 46 games for the Down East Wood Ducks (what a great name, I need a jersey), the Rangers high A team. He’s a little guy, listed at 5’11” and 150 pounds.

In six minor league seasons Eduard (I can’t get used to all the different spellings of names) has hit .309/.367/.390 in 398 games. That seems to be about what he is. I asked Adam Morris about him and he said “little guy, good hit tool, no defensive value, fringe prospect.

Tepid Participation‏ @TepidP tweeted me a link to this story. Pinto has been through a terrible year, with the loss of a new born son. It is a very sad story.

We owe Grilli a big thank you for what he did for us last year. He seems like a great guy, a good teammate.