We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)


Trade Deadline Tracker
By David Schoenfield | ESPN.com

June 20: Philadelphia Phillies trade 1B Ryan Howard to the Seattle Mariners for RHP Fernando Rodney, OF Charlie Blackmon, LHP Brandon Maurer

The Phillies finally get out of Howards' massive contract as they continue their rebuild. Howard, hitting .284 with 14 home runs so far this season, has been productive, but comes with a steep contract. He's sent to Seattle for Fernando Rodney, a closer who's posted a 3.79 ERA and 19 saves; however, his low ERA has been in part due to a high LOB%; his 1.47 WHIP suggests he could be due for an implosion. That likely doesn't matter to the Phillies, as he was included in the deal for his $8.5 million contract. Blackmon, the struggling outfielder, is hitting just .229 with 4 homers so far. Blackmon has plus speed and defense with some potential at the plate. Maurer, stuck in AAA, was posting ridiculous stats, such as a 1.92 ERA and 92 strikeouts to just 12 walks, leading to a 7-1 record.

June 24: Los Angeles Dodgers trade Chris Perez to the New York Yankees for International Bonus Slot

Two very smart organizations come together to make a smart deal. Perez, pitching to a 1.59 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 9 walks in 39.2 IP, was part of a crowded Los Angeles bullpen that will call up one of their many productive AAA arms, such as Yimi Garcia, or Adam Liberatore. This pool money allows the Dodgers to make a couple of valuable signings in the upcoming July 2nd free agent crop this year without incurring the maximum penalty.

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

Davidi: Alomar Not Impressed With Reyes
SHI DAVIDI
JUNE 26 2015



Something's brewing down at 1 Blue Jays Way.

"That was unacceptable. That was bull****. I don't know if he has a dinner to get to or something but whatever he was doing, it sure as **** wasn't for the team."

Just a slice of manager Sandy Alomar Jr.'s rampage after the June 24 loss to Minnesota that led to the Blue Jays' second straight series loss. With such a tight race for the AL East and AL Wild Card, every win for the Blue Jays is crucial; Alomar's brother, one of the greatest Blue Jays of all time, was also a second baseman - and he's less than pleased with Reyes' effort in the field this year. Hitting less than .280 with a complete power outage and a slugging percentage below .380, Reyes has struggled to live up to his massive contract.

"If he's happy with his massive contract and content to sit back and hey, whatever happens happens, I don't care, he can go ahead and do that on any other team. But not on the Toronto Blue Jays."

Reyes could not be reached for comment.

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

Devon Travis Making Noise in AAA
BEN NICHOLSON-SMITH
JUNE 29 2015



The Blue Jays have seen a youthful insurgence so far this year, and it appears as if they could be looking to add to it.

After seeing massive contributions from young lefty Daniel Norris in the rotation and a hot start from 20-year old Roberto Osuna out of the pen, the Jays are reportedly considering calling up 2B Devon Travis of the Buffalo Bisons.

Travis, acquired for Anthony Gose in the off-season from the Detroit Tigers, has caught fire lately at AAA, hitting .268/.348/.455 with 10 home runs. Even more encouraging than those stats is how selective he's been at the plate; Travis has walked in 9% of his plate appearances and struck out only 14% of the time. He's scored 34 runs while also driving in 53 runs.

The Blue Jays have a full middle infield with the powerful Jung-Ho Kang at shortstop and the struggling incumbent Jose Reyes at second base. The 24 year old Travis is blocked as of right now, but his performance is turning some heads within the Blue Jays organization.

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)

BREAKING: Jays Trade Reyes to Minnesota
SHI DAVIDI
JUNE 30 2015



In a massive block-buster trade, the Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly dealt SS Jose Reyes to the Minnesota Twins.

Reyes, 31, was reportedly unhappy with being pushed to second base by Jung-Ho Kang over the offseason. The second baseman struggled to begin the 2015 season, after a big 2014 in which he posted a .285 average and 17 home runs. The home runs appear to have been a mirage, as Reyes posted a .100 Isolated Power with a .380 slugging percentage.

In return, the Blue Jays will receive SS Mike Aviles, along with two minor leaguers. Aviles, coming off of a fantastic 2014 season in which he hit .297 with 10 home runs in just 313 at bats, has struggled to begin the 2015 season, hitting just .200 so far. Aviles is versatile in the field, playing shortstop, second base, third base, left field, and right field. Aviles, formerly a Blue Jay after being traded for John Farrell, was traded to the Indians in the Yan Gomes deal and signed with the Twins after his big 2014. His contract, spanning 3 years, carries a salary of $6.2 million per season.

As well, the Blue Jays will receive LHP Lewis Thorpe and C Josmil Pinto. Thorpe, 19, signed with the Minnesota Twins at just 16 years old as an international free agent. Thorpe is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery. All reports on Thorpe indicate that he is advanced for his age, and pitched well briefly in AA before his injury. Thorpe could be ready by the 2017 season.

Pinto, a catcher, has good pop in his bat but struggles defensively. He has potential as a catcher but as of right now, his outlook is as a backup.

As well, the Blue Jays received future considerations in the deal. At this time, it is currently unknown what the Blue Jays stand to receive.

In corresponding moves, the Blue Jays have purchased the contract of 2B Devon Travis from AAA Buffalo and the contract of OF Ezequiel Carrera from AA New Hampshire, recalled LHP Jeff Francis, while optioning Pinto, SS Andy Burns, and OF Mike O'Neill to AAA Buffalo.

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Re: We Can't Be This Bad: Toronto Blue Jays (PS4)


Trade Deadline Tracker
By David Schoenfield | ESPN.com

June 20: Philadelphia Phillies trade 1B Ryan Howard to the Seattle Mariners for RHP Fernando Rodney, OF Charlie Blackmon, LHP Brandon Maurer

The Phillies finally get out of Howards' massive contract as they continue their rebuild. Howard, hitting .284 with 14 home runs so far this season, has been productive, but comes with a steep contract. He's sent to Seattle for Fernando Rodney, a closer who's posted a 3.79 ERA and 19 saves; however, his low ERA has been in part due to a high LOB%; his 1.47 WHIP suggests he could be due for an implosion. That likely doesn't matter to the Phillies, as he was included in the deal for his $8.5 million contract. Blackmon, the struggling outfielder, is hitting just .229 with 4 homers so far. Blackmon has plus speed and defense with some potential at the plate. Maurer, stuck in AAA, was posting ridiculous stats, such as a 1.92 ERA and 92 strikeouts to just 12 walks, leading to a 7-1 record.

June 24: Los Angeles Dodgers trade Chris Perez to the New York Yankees for International Bonus Slot

Two very smart organizations come together to make a smart deal. Perez, pitching to a 1.59 ERA with 35 strikeouts and 9 walks in 39.2 IP, was part of a crowded Los Angeles bullpen that will call up one of their many productive AAA arms, such as Yimi Garcia, or Adam Liberatore. This pool money allows the Dodgers to make a couple of valuable signings in the upcoming July 2nd free agent crop this year without incurring the maximum penalty.

June 30: Toronto Blue Jays trade SS Jose Reyes and RHP Josh Fields to the Minnesota Twins for SS Mike Aviles, LHP Lewis Thorpe, C Josmil Pinto, Future Considerations

In the first massive blockbuster of the year, much-maligned Jose Reyes has finally been sent packing out of Toronto. Coming off of a season in which Reyes hit 17 homers with a .285 average, Reyes hit .280/.315/.380 for the Jays' this year. Reyes' power outage, combined with his lackadaisical effort in the field, got him sent packing. Minnesota will move Reyes back to shortstop, a massive hole for them this year. With top prospect Byron Buxton off to a hot start in his MLB debut, strong performance from vets like Joe Mauer, Brian Dozier, and Kendrys Morales, and a deep rotation led by ace Phil Hughes, the Twins will look to Reyes to be the piece that puts them over the top. The Blue Jays grab a young lefty with potential in Thorpe, a backup catcher of the future, Aviles' albatross contract, and the mysterious "Future considerations."

June 30: Tampa Bay Rays trade RHP Jeremy Hellickson to Milwaukee Brewers for SS Orlando Arcia and RHP Devin Williams

Hellickson, posting a 3.40 ERA in 100.2 IP this year with 71 strikeouts and 29 walks. Hellickson adds a much-needed punch to the Brewers' rotation as they look to overtake the Cardinals for first in the division. Arcia is a top 100 prospect, but has struggled in AA this year, hitting .253/.313/.347. As well, Williams has performed well in Single A, posting a 3.90 ERA so far this year.