Jays Trade Deadline Thread

[glory]

It’s amazing how all our rental players are s***ing the bed when it counts to be traded...

 

In reality the rentals aside from Happ and Donaldson aren't particularly good to begin with. We were hoping that we'd be able to utilize a half season of success and turn it into something but really guys like Clippard, Granderson, Loup, Axford, etc, are so fungible that it doesn't really matter how they do. Estrada was a bit of a wild card but would any contending team have him in their playoff rotation?

 

Shatkins better get something good for Happ. Oh is another guy they should move but I fear the cheap option might make them hold on to him (hope I'm wrong). They really need to start selling guys with more than a year of control left.

[Spanky99]

In reality the rentals aside from Happ and Donaldson aren't particularly good to begin with. We were hoping that we'd be able to utilize a half season of success and turn it into something but really guys like Clippard, Granderson, Loup, Axford, etc, are so fungible that it doesn't really matter how they do. Estrada was a bit of a wild card but would any contending team have him in their playoff rotation?

 

Shatkins better get something good for Happ. Oh is another guy they should move but I fear the cheap option might make them hold on to him (hope I'm wrong). They really need to start selling guys with more than a year of control left.

 

If Jesse Chavez can get a lottery ticket return, I sure as f*** hope the Jays can get as much or better than that from the guys you mentioned in the bold. Estrada could be moved for a return in August, it's about helping teams get to the Post Season.

Edited July 25, 2018 by Spanky99
Estrada

[John_Havok]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2018/07/blue-jays-trade-rumors-happ-stroman-clippard-solarte-estrada-axford.html

 

While one AL East seller has begun to unload some of its most marketable inventory, the Blue Jays have yet to come to an agreement on any trades. However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (via Twitter) that the Jays are ramping up their efforts to trade impending free agents J.A. Happ, Tyler Clippard and John Axford, so as not to be left with too many pieces to move at the eleventh hour as the non-waiver deadline approaches.

 

Similarly, SNY’s Andy Martino tweets that the Jays have dropped their asking price on Happ recently. While the Toronto front office was at one point asking other clubs for players considered to be among those organizations’ top three or so prospects, they’re being a bit more “realistic” with the deadline approaching, Martino hears. Exactly what the lower asking price entails remains unclear, and it certainly doesn’t seem they’re intent on rushing a trade just yet. For instance, Fancred’s Jon Heyman tweets that the Yankees still believe the asking price on Happ to be too high.

 

Beyond the trio of Happ, Clippard and Axford, however, the Yankees appear to have other pieces they’d either like to move or, at least, are willing to move. MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand writes that Toronto is also shopping both right-hander Marco Estrada and, a bit more surprisingly, infielder Yangervis Solarte. One exec from another club tells Feinsand that the Jays’ prices on their movable assets remains “extremely high,” however.

 

While much has been made of Happ’s availability, the other players listed in tonight’s reports haven’t been covered at such great length. Both Clippard and Axford are playing on supremely affordable $1.5MM base salaries after earning roster spots as minor league invitees to Spring Training. Both veteran relievers have improved their control (dramatically so, in Axford’s case) while largely maintaining their strikeout rates. Clippard’s bottom-line ERA (3.61) tops that of Axford (4.24), but fielding-independent metrics favor Axford fairly substantially. Either reliever, though, could help to bolster a contending club’s middle-relief contingent.

 

As for Estrada, he hasn’t pitched since July 3, owing to a left glute strain. He’d been out on a rehab assignment, but Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith tweets that he was forced to exit today’s start due to a blister on his middle finger. That significantly clouds the chances of Estrada returning before the July 31 deadline, but considering the fact that he’ll still be owed $4.26MM of this year’s $13MM salary come Aug. 1, he could certainly clear waivers and be marketed in August. Estrada hasn’t been at his best this season anyhow, though, struggling to a 4.72 ERA with 7.0 K/9 against 2.5 BB/9 with 1.51 HR/9 through 89 2/3 innings of work.

 

The inclusion of Solarte on Feinsand’s list is a bit more surprising, given that the Jays can control him through the 2020 season at affordable rates, should they choose. The 31-year-old Solarte hasn’t performed that well in 2018, hitting just .240/.294/.424 in 418 plate appearances. But, Solarte’s walk and strikeout rates remain solid, and he’s making hard contact at the same clip he did in 2017. Despite maintaining a knack for squaring up the ball, Solarte’s .244 BABIP sits well south of his career mark of .272. Given his ability to handle second base or third base (plus some shortstop in a pinch), plus a pair of club options for the 2019 ($5.5MM) and 2020 ($8MM) seasons, Solarte should draw fairly widespread interest.

 

One player who the Jays don’t appear keen on dealing, however, is righty Marcus Stroman. Heyman tweets that several teams have checked in on Stroman, but there’s a “strong belief” throughout the industry that Toronto will hang onto him. Stroman has another two seasons of club control remaining beyond the 2018 season, and the Blue Jays would be selling low on him in some regards.

 

While clubs are increasingly willing to look past ugly ERA marks in favor of other more telling metrics, it still seems likely that Stroman’s 5.42 ERA and certainly his increased walk rate would weigh down his trade value. Stroman, though, has maintained similar strikeout, swinging-strike, home-run and ground-ball rates in 2018; his unsightly ERA is tied somewhat to his worsened control but also to a fluky low 61.6 percent strand rate. Certainly, other clubs see plenty to like when looking at Stroman in spite of sub-par traditional stats.

 

None of that even touches on perhaps the team’s most enigmatic trade piece — third baseman Josh Donaldson. At this point, it’s not clear that Donaldson will return before the non-waiver deadline. The remainder of his $23MM salary will assuredly clear waivers next month, meaning he’ll have a bit of time to prove he can return to form and showcase himself for contending clubs before the Aug. 31 deadline for postseason eligibility. With Donaldson and Estrada both likely to clear waivers, the Jays could well remain active on the trade front even if they move their top rental commodities in the next week

[Daniel Labude]

https://jaysjournal.com/2018/07/25/blue-jays-shopping-roberto-osuna-despite-suspension/

 

Dropping the price on Happ and now selling at the lowest point on Osuna....really not liking the rumors about our deadline coming up lol

[Deadpool]

https://jaysjournal.com/2018/07/25/blue-jays-shopping-roberto-osuna-despite-suspension/

 

Dropping the price on Happ and now selling at the lowest point on Osuna....really not liking the rumors about our deadline coming up lol

 

This is the entirety of the USA Today piece on which this article is based

 

The most intriguing name could be Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna, who is eligible to return Aug. 4 from a 75-game suspension for domestic violence. The Jays are shopping him, would the Astros or anyone else touch him?

 

This is literally the only place anyone has seen this, and you'd think that would be bigger news than the fact that they're shopping Axford...

[Slade]

Can you even trade a suspended player?

[Slade]

The Eovaldi trade has to help Happs value, maybe kick start the Yankees to make another move to make up those 5 games.

[glory]

The Eovaldi trade has to help Happs value, maybe kick start the Yankees to make another move to make up those 5 games.

 

Dombrowski is AA on steroids when it comes to trading prospects. Don’t think it means anything for rest of the market but who knows. I just want Happ traded at this point.

[LGBJ29]

Can you even trade a suspended player?

 

yes

[Dr. Dinger]

https://jaysjournal.com/2018/07/25/blue-jays-shopping-roberto-osuna-despite-suspension/

 

Dropping the price on Happ and now selling at the lowest point on Osuna....really not liking the rumors about our deadline coming up lol

 

It's not selling low on Osuna if you maintain your pre-suspension valuation as the seller. If you can get a similar return to what the Padres got for Hand or what the Yankees got for Miller -- Top 30 prospects for relief pitchers with comparable trade value -- then there's no reason why the Jays shouldn't consider trading him. It's not like Atkins is going to move him at any cost, the trigger will only be pulled if the net is a prospect on par with Mejia or Frazier at the time of those trades.

[Krylian]

While it's true that this is all just speculation and presumptions I'm keeping my expectations low. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than disappointed. I find that when I allow myself to believe that things will go our way, they often don't. Will be an interesting few days...plus whatever happens before Aug 31st.

[Jonn]

Unless someone blows your nipples off. You don't trade Osuna. If he comes back and is his dominate self in August and September we will get a better return in the off-season.

[sdyment]

https://jaysjournal.com/2018/07/25/blue-jays-shopping-roberto-osuna-despite-suspension/

 

Dropping the price on Happ and now selling at the lowest point on Osuna....really not liking the rumors about our deadline coming up lol

 

See, your first mistake was clicking on a Jays Journal “article”.

[Krylian]

Unless someone blows your nipples off. You don't trade Osuna. If he comes back and is his dominate self in August and September we will get a better return in the off-season.

 

As long as the team doesn't try this make shift 'lets get some "analytics darlings" on the cheap deals and provide the illusion of competitive baseball again' for 2019. I want the kids to play...I want to keep adding to the farm...and honestly, Osuna is super young so it's not like he's a vet that you better move before he turns the corner (JD), but if you get your socks knocked off, you move him. A closer really is the last piece you need when building a championship calibre team. An elite closer on a nothing team is a waste. Let's get that starting lineup in order and get a rotation that's young and frightening...then we can scrape together a bullpen and find an elite arm to close.

[baubau]

While it's true that this is all just speculation and presumptions I'm keeping my expectations low. I'd rather be pleasantly surprised than disappointed. I find that when I allow myself to believe that things will go our way, they often don't. Will be an interesting few days...plus whatever happens before Aug 31st.

 

Are you herpderp? You are just as negative as he was! lol

[Krylian]

Are you herpderp? You are just as negative as he was! lol

 

I'm just realistic. What happened to him anyway...

[L54]

Osuna isn't getting any cheaper, has a huge cloud that will follow him for as long as he's in Toronto, has already had TJS and relievers come with the most inherent risk. His days as a Blue Jay are certainly numbered as I'm sure Atkins would love to move him if someone ponies up a decent return.

[jerb]

 

Mark Feinsand‏

Verified account

@Feinsand

 

Source tells me the Blue Jays appear close to moving J.A. Happ.

[L54]

Oh baby I just finally sat down at my computer and have the next couple hours off. I can't wait for this bubble to burst!

[Jonn]

 

Mark Feinsand‏

Verified account

@Feinsand

 

Source tells me the Blue Jays appear close to moving J.A. Happ.

 

[BTS]

Nice. Return should be better than what Eovaldi brought back.

[glory]

Nice. Hope it's a good return.

[Laika]

Nice.

[jerb]

 

@BVHJays

 

Shot in the dark speculation here, but the Brewers removed Domingo Santana from their AAA game after 2 at bats today.

[BTS]

 

@BVHJays

 

Shot in the dark speculation here, but the Brewers removed Domingo Santana from their AAA game after 2 at bats today.

 

This would please me immensely.

[Abomination]

I'm not a big Domingo Santana fan, but that would be a strong return.

[Laika]

Nice!

[Dr. Dinger]

Is Michael Saunders available?

[Pendleton]

Seems like the top Happ suitors have some interesting blocked relievers that could make for a nice throw in piece. Could probably use an arm or two of that nature if we are going to be shipping some out for lottery tickets.

 

Gallegos from the Yankees always comes to mind

[L54]

I'm pretty positive the return is going to be boo'd on Twitter, but most around here will be pleasantly pleased