The Blue Jays’ acquisition of Josh Donaldson now appears to be one of GM Alex Anthopoulos’ better moves, Sportsnet’s Ben Nicholson-Smith tweets. The third baseman has 15 homers and an outstanding .312/.372/.604 slash line through his first 227 plate appearances, and Donaldson’s 3.0 fWAR (entering today’s action) is topped only by Bryce Harper. Donaldson is controlled through 2018 and looks to be a cornerstone piece for the Jays both now and in future seasons. Here’s some more from around the American League…
- Adrian Beltre left today’s game with a sprained left thumb and while x-rays were negative, he’ll very likely be placed on the 15-day disabled list, MLB.com’s Dave Sessions writes. The Rangers have enough internal infield options that they aren’t likely to explore outside help unless Beltre is forced to miss an extended period of time. The 36-year-old Beltre has been having a down season (.257/.294/.408 in 221 PA) but was still providing his customary excellent third base defense.
- The much-maligned Tigers bullpen has become a strength for the team, Mlive.com’s James Schmehl writes. Detroit’s relievers entered Sunday with a 2.91 ERA, the seventh-lowest bullpen ERA in baseball. Advanced metrics (3.69 FIP, 4.07 xFIP) paint a more pessimistic view of the bullpen’s performance, yet the Tigers will happily take it after some frustrating relief breakdowns in recent years.
- Twins GM Terry Ryan told reporters (including Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press) that his team will make the sixth overall pick in the amateur draft based on talent, and won’t be scared off from taking a player due to injury concerns. This could be a reference to Brady Aiken or Michael Matuella, two top draft prospects who recently underwent Tommy John surgery. ESPN1500’s Darren Wolfson tweets that the Twins and other clubs recently received some new information about Aiken and that Minnesota was “very high on” Aiken last year.
- Rule 5 Draft pick Taylor Featherston is appreciating his time in the majors as a learning experience, though as Fangraphs’ David Laurila points out, having Rule 5 status isn’t necessarily a good thing for a player’s development. Featherston has just one hit in 33 PA with the Angels and has appeared in just 25 games for the club. He must remain on the Halos’ Major League roster all season or else be offered back to his old club (the Rockies) for $25K.
- Also from Laurila’s notes piece, veteran catcher Eddy Rodriguez had more or less called it a career and planning to take a year away from the game before being offered a minor league contract from the Yankees. “When the pinstripes come calling, it’s hard to say no,” Rodriguez said. He is already unofficially working as a player-coach and mentor at the Triple-A level and seems a lock to find a coaching job once he finally hangs up his cleats.
Pap’s to Tigers, fixes Detroit’s Three year Bull pen woes !
Creates other issues in that they’d have to give up assets for a player who’s role is already filled by a younger, cheaper, and fresher (in terms of MLB innings) Joakim Soria. Two strong 7th/8th inning option is/are the immediate priorities in Detroit, not adding a player who is over paid given his role.
never expected the josh donaldson trade working well for the blue jays. baseball is full of surprises
How did you not see a guy with 30 HR power, moving to hitters park, in a hitters division panning out for the Jays?
This trade was a coup for the Jays the second it was announced. They rid themselves of a clubhouse distraction in Lawrie and gave up the necessary pieces to facilitate bringing in another premier bat, at a weak position none the less.
MVP caliber start to the season, I don’t see why it won’t continue.
Dude. Sarcasm.
*cough cough* sarcasm *cough*
And they didn’t have to give up a top prospect to get him
Sorry I can’t read sarcasm on here without bold or quotations or italics lol. My bad.
Hoping we get to see some Joey Gallo at 3B for the Rangers!
Gallo has shown that with promotion it takes him 2-3 months to adapt to that level. He won’t offer anything right now other than a bunch of k’s. Unless you are ready to write off the season, which I am surprisingly not ready to do yet, then there is no need for him yet.
I’d be ecstatic if the Twins selected Aiken (Allard could be one they are considering as well), he has great upside in an otherwise weak draft for high-end talent. I get the feeling that Daz will be the pick if he is available though, he fits the type of player they generally like. I wouldn’t be upset with this selection either.
While Featherston has been overmatched at the plate, his base running and defense has been very good. He has a nice swing, but his pitch recognition hasn’t been very good. All in all, I hope we keep him.
Billy Beane had an interesting, winter…no idea what he was up to with the Donaldson trade.
billy beane has been surprisingly terrible at his job for almost a yr now.
Didn’t the Tigers say that last year !
They had metrics to back that up.
Alex Wilson has been a pleasant surprise, but as long as the Tigers are using Joba in the 8th, their bullpen depth is questionable. He may be keeping his ERA low, but the way the batters make contact with his pitches…its only a matter of time. Al Al is Jeckal and Hyde. If he’s on he could strike out the side, and if not, he could walk the bases loaded or groove a few down the middle. Alex Torres would look great at the trade deadline.
Good finagling of Wilson (and Speier) in the Porcello for Cespedes deal.