1:40 AM Eastern
First of all, go vote for Tom Cheek already. He’s slipping behind in the vote totals. Make your voice heard at www.facebook.com/baseballhall – only 10 days left!
Second of all, the Blue Jays have completed their second trade in a week, sending Brandon League to the Seattle Mariners. Reports are that the Jays are adding a prospect and receiving Brandon Morrow back from Seattle. I can’t confirm the return, though I’m pretty sure it’s Morrow, but I can confirm that League will soon be on his way to Seattle to take a physical.
How can I confirm this? A source close to the trade told me. I love all the intrigue and mystery, but this time I’m going to come right out and tell you – Brandon League told me.
What do I think about the deal? Well, you’ve got two incredible right arms moving, each of which has been attached to a guy who has been a long-term source of frustration for his team. The prospect will likely be a decent one, because Morrow is still controllable for a while – not even arbitration-eligible – while League is already into his arb years. It wasn’t long ago, probably this time last year, that Morrow was being talked about as a potential front-of-the-rotation guy. He has had elbow and shoulder problems, though.
It all depends on who the prospect coming from the Jays’ end is, but it seems like a pretty reasonable “change of scenery” type of trade that could pay off really well for one or both of the teams involved.
There are about 150 comments or so in the hopper that I have to get to about the Roy Halladay trade, I will do so tomorrow. If you want to add to the queue reasonably and rationally, you’re more than welcome!
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liked League, but he’s been erratic at best thus far in his career. if they don’t end up giving up too much as far as a prospect, i think the jays win in this deal. Morrow has more upside than League, and more importantly, he can start – and potentially be a fixture in the rotation for years to come. so, contingent upon the prospect we’re giving up, i like this deal – potentially a steal by AA.
MW: Johermyn Chavez looks like a nice little prospect, so the deal is by no means a steal for the Blue Jays, but if Morrow ever realizes his potential, they got one heck of a pitcher.
- Nick5As it turns out, Marrow is under team control for only one more year than League.
MW: It’s Morrow (have you been studying for an anatomy final?) and yes, it’s just one more year of control. But: A – I didn’t say how much longer they’d be Morrow for, and 2 – it was 2 o’clock in the morning!
- WillRainMike you linked http://www.faceboook.com/baseballhall with 3 O’s which brings us to an ad site that spammed us nice, thanks!! haha
Anyways I wish League well really liked him, wish he could have kept it consistent here he could be an all-star closer.
MW: D’oh! See #2 in the response above.
- SleepyMichael,
I hope Hanukkah saw you well this year Michael.
Do you think the Jays will take a run at Aroldis Chapman?
Does there new direction involve them spending on young highly touted prospects like this?
MW: See above.
- Uncle BenDo you think Morrow is going to mainly be used out of the bullpen or will he be a starter next year?
MW: I would hope they’d give him every shot to be a starter.
- Jack OMike – 1 year ago Ben Sheets was signed by the texas rangers, but didn’t pass his physical. Ever since then Ben Sheets hasn’t been involved in any transaction or rumours and his name never comes up. Where is he now. Is he retired, still hurt???
MW: He’s out there pounding the free agent pavement, trying to get a job. His name has come up again with Texas, and also with the Yankees.
- DannyHey Mike
League can be down right nasty at times, and if he can put it all together i could see him turning into a dominating closer. Morrow is a similar case, and if the Jays can control him longer, i like this move. I think part of Morrow’s struggles can be attributed to the way he was handled in Seattle, as he was tossed back and forth from the rotation to the bullpen. Whats your best guess as to where the Jays will use him?
MW: See above. I just hope he learns how to throw strikes.
- RickMike,
Nice to see you have “sources” on this team. I’m not sure I would have made this deal even straight up simply because of all the arm issues with Morrow. I know the upside he has but at the same time, it seems like an unnecessary gamble and one that smells of cost savings on behalf of the Jays.
I remember watching him twice last September on tv (once for maybe 10-15 pitches and the other flipping in and out between channels for about 3 innings) and thinking what happened to his velocity? Perhaps he lost some velocity as a starter but on both outings, he was just around 90-92mph with his fastball and couldn’t find the strike zone with any of his pitches.
I thought League took major strides forward this season with his control and significantly improved the quality of both his slider and splitter. If you ask me, I thought he was unlucky with his ERA and a lot of his hits given up were ground balls which found a hole.
MW: I think it’s a deal you make, since Morrow has as much upside as League does and Morrow is a starter. That said, I’m a big fan of League’s and I think that if he’s used properly, he could dominate.
- JoachimHey Mike,
While I do believe it’s time for League to move on and I do like the trade…. I am getting a little concerned with the arms in our pithing rotation and their rescent issues with arm health. It seems that most of them have had one or two operations, the most worrysome being Tommy John surgery. Is this becoming the norm around the league and has Tommy John surgery come so far that it doesn’t need to be as much of a concern as it once was?
Thanks for all your great work and knowledge regarding baseball and the issues.
Jason
MW: You’re welcome. I don’t think Tommy John is a concern at all anymore, once a player has recovered from it. Often, it’s better to have it done earlier, so you get it out of the way. There aren’t too many pitchers nowadays who don’t come back just as good or better from TJ, and rare is the guy (Jason Frasor) who needs to have it done more than once.
- JasonThe facebook link you show above is wrong and actually takes you somewhere you don’t want to go. You should fix it. (one less o will do)
MW: Done
- DaveSomething that’s been niggling for a while and I wonder if you have an answer. The Jays opened last season with something like 27 wins and 12 losses before everything came crashing back down. I know the schedule had the team playing against weaker opposition, but traditionally the Jays played badly against weak opponents and well against the Sox and Yankees. The team was going through a lot of young untried starters who had no scouting reports. But even so, it seems like it would take less than 39 games for the scouts to catch up with the pitchers. I was at one of the White Sox games–if I recall correctly the Jays swept them out of town on a 4-game series. That team looked excellent!
This is not a ‘we have a great team why don’t the Jays just throw money at it’ post. I genuinely can’t explain why a team that had played so well for the last third of the season before and the first month and a half of last season hit the wall so hard and so fast.
Any ideas?
MW: Sure! Scutaro and Hill fell back to Earth and Wells and Rios didn’t pick up the slack like they were supposed to. Ryan stunk all season and the bullpen got all messed up as a result. Pitching injuries to Litsch, Romero, Downs and Halladay caught up with them and they couldn’t pull themselves out of it. A quarter of a season is just a quarter of a season.
- isabella reyesI’m not sure why people are convinced Morrow is good. He’s shown less control in the majors than Purcey and his minor league #’s don’t suggest this is a fluke. He’s 25, he’s not some prospect anymore.
On the other hand all of League’s stats (FIP/XFIP/tRA) shows that he absolutely blows Morrow out of the water in performance.
Morrow only has his fastball and as we’ve seen with AJ Burnett one pitch doesn’t make you a starter.
The Jays are trading the better reliever, and adding a prospect to get an inferior player.
I thought the Halladay deal was great but I’m less than impressed with this deal.
MW: I like it, because I like Morrow. His control is a concern, for sure, but I think it’s a nice change-of-scenery type deal for both guys. A.J. Burnett has one pitch? Is it the 98 mph fastball or the killer spike curveball?
- MarkMike,
I have to give some credit to Anthopolous. He is definatly taking some risks to get this team where they need to be. This move is a high risk/reward deal that could really help make up for the loss fo Halladay. I watched some highlights of this Morrow guy and I was pretty impressed. Obviously those were when he was at his best but if he can figure out how to be consistant and stay healthy then there is no reason to think he can’t be at his best or near it most of the time. The Jays now have a few high upside pitchers to go along with a lot of mid rotation type guys. I like what I am seeing. A question for you, would you rather have a legitimate #1 ace type guy, say like Roy Halladay and the rest of the rotation full of #4 or #5 guys. Or a rotation with lots of depth, but lacking a true ace… say 2 “#2″ guys and 3 “#3″ guys?
MW: I’d rather have three 2s and two 3s, but both are preferable to a #1 and four fours. I don’t think this is a high risk/high reward trade, though. Dealing League isn’t high-risk – he’d made his run through the organization. If they weren’t going to make him the closer or the clear set-up guy, then he had more value in trade.
- Dennyhi Mike…..I was wondering if you see Morrow as a potential starter or closer in Toronto
MW: Starter
- DennisIf this is correct, I love this deal.
- mike glattBoth pitchers have similarities in that when they are right they are very right and when they are wrong they are very wrong or inconsistent.
Morrow could very well be the closer this team is looking for as he is dominant when he is right. Hopefully he can develop that consistency here.
I remember seeing him in one game against the Jays this year and he was basically unhittable.
Yeah I agree, this is potentially a trade that can payoff for both teams. My only concern is, who is the prospect? Mike do you think its possible that it could be somebody like cecil? Possibily even purcey? Maybe mills? How about romero (i hope not). When they say morrow has been a frustration for his team, is that solely his injury and diabetes? Or does it stem further, in terms of attitude, club house distractions? Also, I like what Anthopolous is doing here. Hes trying to stock pile as many young controllable prospects as he can. I wouldn’t be surprised if he deals Overbay for a c+ b- type prospect, just because. Anthopolous’s attitude, and the way he goes about business, is why, in my opinion he will take the baseball world by storm over the next 5-6 years. Well maybe not so profoundly. Oh and by the way, I dont think trinity killed deb.
MW: You’re right – Trinity killed Rita. His daughter shot Deb. I had thought that the prospect might be a guy like a Purcey or a Mills, but it turns out that it’s Johermyn Chavez. The frustrations with Morrow stem from on-field stuff more than anything else.
- RockyHello Mike,
I really like this trade for the BLue Jays, Yes I do know that Morrow has had lots of injury problems in the past but those problems are all gone. He is now at 100% and remember his last start he made last season were he pitched 8 scoreless innings only giving up 1 hit and striking out 9 and this is just great. When Morrow is healthy he is on his game and can be on of the leagues better pitchers. We will soon find out.
I am happy that League is gone because I was getting all nervious when he was on the mound coming in to relief but now I am much more calm and the JAys should have an good young bullpen for next year and the Future. AA certinatly knows what he is doing. Halladay,League,Barajas,Scutaro are all gone but Welcome Aboard, Morrow,Buck,Gonzo,Drabek,Wallace, D’Arnaud and Gathright. This has been a great offseason for the Jays and AA is keeping his promise that he is putting together a solid young core of players and to be contenders when they all develop in 3-4 years from now.
Lastely were can we expect Morrow in the starting rotation next season if he can stay healthy. He could be good potentially fight with Romero,Marcum and Cecil for the #1 job. I think he would be a good #2. Just give me your opinion on were he fits and mabye what the rotation will look like coming out of spring training.
MW: I think he’ll be the number three out of Spring Training behind Marcum and Romero, but if he can throw strikes, he’ll wind up the 1 or 2.
- DavidGranted the Blue Jays didn’t field a winning team while Halladay was here and he had a no trade clause but let’s think about this a little. The Blue Jays are being blamed for trading Halladay, but was it not Halladay who said he wanted to play for a winner? Now what exactly does that mean? Read between the lines folks, he knew the Jays weren’t a winning team and this was his politically correct way of asking for a trade. Since he did have the no trade clause the ball was in his court (no pun intended) and he was able to choose which team(s) he wanted to pitch for. Since he lives in Florida in the off season he wanted to be closer to home. So why didn’t he choose Tampa Bay? He also didn’t want to disrupt his family during the season and told the Blue Jays management to trade him before the season started or he’ll walk as a free agent. The Blue Jays were handcuffed. How many fans came to see Halladay pitch in one of his starts? Just over 11000 fans? We’ll wait and see but I gurantee you the next time he comes to Toronto as a member of the Phillies, the dome will be sold out. Which doesn’t make sence because he’s on the opposite side not on our side? Listen I’m a big fan of the Blue Jays somewhat disgruntled but still a fan. I also know Halladay is one of the premier pitchers in all of baseball but don’t entirely blame the trading of Halladay on the Blue Jays. Halladay needs to take responsibilty for his own actions!
MW: Huh?
- Fran AntalNot Fran but Frank!
MW: Wow – you’re so riled up you forgot how to spell your own name?
- Frank AntalI can’t say enough good things about Roy! That full-page ad in the newspaper thanking the Organization and the Fans adds to the already first-class star we have been privileged to watch all these years. Let’s not forget Bandy as well. She was immersed in so many community causes & events which will be missed. No doubt their generosity will be even bigger in Philly!
MW: Why would they be MORE generous to the Philadelphians than they were here?
- Leonardany time toronto ships a player out from the riccardi regiem, is a good move. go jays!
MW: Thought you meant Halladay there for a second. You do know that the same guy who drafted Halladay drafted League, right?
- JohnUmmm, how in the heck were the Yankees able to trade Melky (a 4th outfielder) for Vasquez, a 15 game winner with an ERA under 3 and 238 strikeouts?
I know Vasquez only has one year left on his contract, but come on. This is a joke.
The Yankees are rich, good looking, and oh yea, they are also world champs. It makes me sick.
MW: Yeah, it bothers me, too. I don’t know why the Braves were so anxious to deal Vazquez either – he was one of the best pitchers in the NL last season.
- DerekGood riddance to League. In my opinion he was useless. Anyone who stares in looking for signals with his mouth open says it all.
MW: I think this comments section has now reached a new low, and that’s really saying something!
- joe eHi Mike,
I may be in the minority with this comment, however, here it is anyway.
I have no problem with Roy Halladay requesting a trade, after all the solid time, effort and leadership he has given the Toronto Blue Jays during his years here in Toronto. His dedication to the community, has been nothing short of amazing.
It has been a pleasure to watch Doc perform at his high level. Probably the greatest pitcher to ever pull a Blue Jay Jersey over his shoulders.
Here is where I have a problem. The Toronto Blue Jays have made Halladay a very wealthy person. His demand to have the trade completed before Spring training,or he would not endorse a trade during the season, to me, is selfish on the part of his agent, if indeed the threat was true. There are many players who are traded during the season. By using this type of hammer, he effectively tied the hands of the Jays. Trade now, or get draft picks, which could turn out to be nothing. That being said, on paper, it looks like the trade may pay benefits in a year or so. Lets hope so, time will tell. Who knows what we may have received,if the Jays had the hammer during the trade discussions during the season and not the other way around.
MW: If I were Halladay, I would have made the same demand.
- Bob1) Morrow can’t throw strikes and he gives up home runs. How often do these types work out? But at least he’s a potential star – I doubt League will ever be more than a good middle guy.
2) Taylor for Wallace. I don’t this trade and I don’t get it from an organizational perspective. Wallace is supposed to have a great bat, but the scouts seem to think he’s a 1B not a 3B. As a 1B his batting stats to date are good but they don’t scream out big time hitter. Taylor is a more accomplished hitter at present – yes he’s a year older but he is according to the scouts a decent defensive outfielder, something the Jays don’t have at all on their roster. They already have two young players that have 1B/DH as their logical position in the majors (Snider, Lind) why add a third and get rid of another prospect that has skills you don’t have in the organization?
Man the 2010 Jays could be awful. They have a very young pitching staff but horrible defence at C, 3B, and all 3 outfield positions. Oh well, this is what you get when you gut the roster and start over.
MW: 1 – You contradict yourself immediately there. Morrow CAN throw strikes – he just chooses not to – and he’s only given up 1.0 HR/9 IP in the majors and 0.4 per nine in the minors. That’s not that bad. 2 – See above.
- jim maronMike,
Where do you see Aaron Hill batting into the future. I know there was talk of him moving to the 3rd spot, but I really think he would be better in the 2nd spot. It’s hard to argue with what he did last year but I really dont see him consistantly hitting 35+ HR’s per year. I dont know if he is capable of doing it but I would love to see him change his approach slightly and take a few more walks. Im ok with him hitting 20-25HR’s with lots of doubles and an OBP around .350 infront of Lind, Wallace, and Snider.
MW: I think eventually Hill’s best spot in the order will be 5th or 6th. He needs to learn how to take a walk before he becomes a legit two or three-hole guy on a good team. An OBP around .350 would be nice, but he hasn’t been able to do that yet.
- DennySo it looks like Yohermyn Chavez is the other prospect. I’m not sure about this trade. Chavez has power and a great OPS for a 20 year old. But his strikeout numbers are high and he is in the low minors.
Brandon will do fantastic in Seattle. The soft grass will do him wonders as a ground ball pitcher. I am going on the record to say he will post an ERA in the 2s this coming year (should he stay healthy) with opp batting average under .230.
People will say he didn’t reach his potential (because he numbers look mediocre) but it is more about the Rogers Centre being the wrong place for him to play half his games.
And I felt he made enough strides this past season with his slider and splitter for him to become a potential starter.
MW: We’ll see, but I think the Mariners will look at him as a closer. I wish him a ton of success, I hope he realizes his great potential. If they use him the right way, he very well could.
- JoachimFirstly, I like the direction the club is heading.
Secondly, what is the downside of bringing guys up “too early” from the minors? It’s pretty clear the fans are excited to see the new direction. Players such as Drabek seem to already show great command of their pitches. Since it’s clear the team is rebuilding, why not give these kids a real chance to develop against the best competition?
You see the success of Romero and Rzepczynski, and you realize we may have more jems in our farm system that are just spinning their tires.
Thanks and keep up the good work.
MW: The downsides to bring a player up too early are: A – he may not be ready, get his tail kicked and have to go back down to the minors; something which often happens but in a perfect world you’d like to avoid, and more importantly, 2 – service time and controllability are massive, massive assets. You don’t want to give a guy service time before he can help you, and therefore lose time on the other end once he’s established.
- StavrosBreaks my heart to see League go, I feel Safeco’s vast expanses will help him keep the ball in the park and build on his secretly excellent 2009.
Any chance the Jays go full rebuild on Morrow (time in the minors maybe), given the yo-yo treatment he got from the Bavasi-era Mariners?
MW: There’s a good chance. I don’t mean Halladay-style or anything, but I think there’s a good chance that they treat Morrow like a prospect, and not like a guy who has already been in the bigs for pieces of three seasons.
- DrewYou don’t like my comment about League having his mouth open all the time? That is reaching a new low? You wanna take it that way Mikey Boy? Then you haven’t seen anything yet. I was neither rude nor vulgar. But that is subject to change mon ami Hahahhahahahhaahhahahahah
Happy Holidays Wilner you Schmuck
schmuck
MW: I would say something like “you’re an idiot”, but at this point, I think you’ve done a great job illustrating that on your own.
- joe eSorry if I wasn’t clear earlier. My point was that AJ Burnett isn’t a successful starter when his curveball is off, and he’s limited to one pitch. Obviously the curve/fastball combo is successful enough for him, but when one pitch isn’t working he gets trashed.
I didn’t mean to suggest that AJ Burnett is a one pitch pitcher :(.
Mark.
- MarkDave Cameron from Fangraphs tweeted that Chavez was available in the Rule 5 Draft but nobody took him. Any truth to that?
Finally, a trade that Jack Z probably lost. Tired of everyone calling him a genius.
Great move by AA.
MW: For the Mariners, they get more in 2010 with League than they would have with Morrow, and they see a window to make the playoffs, so it’s a win for them if they do, but also a win for the Blue Jays. Check the post-trade blog post for my thoughts about the Rule 5 thing.
- RenegadeTo your knowledge was Chavez available in the rule 5 draft?
MW: I’m not sure, but he probably was. I would never have gone near him in the Rule 5, nor should any big-league team have.
- ScottMike, sounds like Seattle’s treatment of Morrow is more than a little similar to how NY has used Joba (just with a lot less publicity). Hopefully the Jays do a better job of defining Morrow’s role so he can settle down right off the bat.
MW: It’s already defined – he’s a starter. But I wouldn’t say it’s similar to ho the Yankees treated Chamberlain. Joba wasn’t severely rushed to the bigs, nor was he shuttled back and forth to AAA for three years.
- JackMike, I like what AA is doing. Reminds me of a way back in Expo history when management went with young guys like Carter,Valentine,Dawson,Wallach and let them learn from their mistakes. Fans appreciate youthful enthusiasm and are willing to accept mistakes, as long as they learn from them.
Brandon League has a major league arm, but a double A head. You never knew what you were getting when he was brought in.
By the way, the other day, someone asked why Roy was wearing 34 and not 32 with Philly. Didn’t Lefty Carlton wear 32 and did they retire it.
You’re probably tired of hearing it, but your blog on the Halliday trade was one of the best ever written.
Has SI called you yet, offering a job
Keep up the good work
MW: Carlton did indeed wear #32, I can’t believe that slipped my mind. No one has called yet to offer me a job.
- DANNYI like the deal, as Morrow’s upside as a starter definitely overrides League’s potential to be a closer in my mind. A few questions:
1) Will Scott Downs be traded. LH relievers are a hot commodity and since he’s only under contract for one more year, he might bring a solid OF prospect?
2) Do you think the Jays could trade Lyle Overbay for Derek Lowe, and then flip Lowe to the Angels for Peter Bourjos. If the Jays asked the Braves to pay $7.5M of Lowe’s $15M 2010 salary, then it’s only $37.5M/3 year deal to the Angels. If the Jays pay the other half of Lowe’s 2010 salary at $7.5m (only $675K more than Overbay’s 2010 salary) it becomes a $30M/3year deal for the Angels. I would think this would be more attractive and thus would allow the Jays to pick up a quality OF prospect for roughly Lyle Overbay’s salary.
MW: 1 – It’s likelier in-season than over the winter, given Downs tough year with injuries. 2 – There’s not a chance the Jays could get Derek Lowe for Overbay, even before the Braves traded Javy Vazquez.
- Jason SinnarajahMike,
I do like this trade, I think Morrow and League are fairly equivalent talent wise, but you get a starter instead of a reliever/closer.
The Jays now have a plethora of young, starting pitchers. Morrow joins Marcum, Romero, Litsch, Cecil and Rzepczynski; however, you also have to mention the likes of Richmond, Purcey, McGowan (if healthy), as well as Ray and Mills. Do you think the Jays are better to hold onto all these arms and try and find them starts (some in AAA) or do you think AA is just positioning himself for another trade?
MW: Don’t forget Henderson Alvarez, who might be the best of the bunch. I think Alex is always thinking about who he’s going to trade/trade for next.
- Mike CHey mike,
how does Brandon feel about the trade? Be as candid as you can, I’m always interested in how players react, especially in cases such as this where the players are being swapped by perennial non contenders. At least in terms of a build Seattle has taken a few strides towards competing in the AL Ouest, especially if they are serious about landing Jason Bay.
Do you get the feeling league will enjoy being out of cito’s pen or did he feel (or do you feel) cito was pretty confident in him?
I think the jays bullpen will look fantastic in a year or two if they satisfy accardo with major league time and guys like roenicke and carlson improve. Tallet is a decent inning eater who should start in the pen to help out on days when zep, Cecil, morrow etc blow up. Also Stewart and morrow may ultimately demonstrate they are most effective out of the pen. Thoughts on lots.
Spill the beans!
Thanks for the blue jay insight.
MW: There are really no beans to spill. We didn’t get into too much detail – it was 1:30 in the morning. I just basically wanted to confirm that he had indeed been traded, and once I did, I wished him luck and let him know that I thought he’d been great to deal with as a Blue Jay.
- Patrick dubya.I want to throw an idea at you. What do you think about throwing a 4 year deal at Bedard. Say 4 yrs, 15 mil + a few incentives for staying healthy.
I know it sounds crazy to take that kind of risk for an injury prone pitcher, who likely won’t pitch until June or July, but the potential reward is amazing.
1)When he’s healthy, he’s been great. Ace stuff, and he’s proven it in the AL East.
2)He’s bound to get healthy at some point, no? After all, it seems that Burnett has. Even if he’s healthy 2.5 years out of 4, you did OK.
3) This team looks poised to be good in 2011-2013, I think. But a proven front end starter will be helpful, and that will be expensive if they’re looking at getting it via FA down the road. They could take a chance with Bedard now, while the price is lower.
4) A rotation of 2011-2013:
Bedard
Drabek
Marcum
Morrow
Romero (or Litsch, McGowan, Stewart, Cecil, Rzepczynski)
Now that is a rotation with potential.
5) It would seem to me that they now have the financial flexibility to take this kind of high reward gamble.
MW: It really is a heck of a gamble, and the truth is that he only has to have ONE good year out of the four to make such a contract pay off. It’s not that much money to tie up, but the biggest problem is that with his history of injury, he absolutely cannot be counted on at any point, even if he’s shown he’s healthy over a year or two. You’d always have to have a back-up plan in place for when he goes down for three months. Still, it’s a good gamble to take – four years of Bedard for less than what they would have paid Rios and Rolen this year. I wonder if Bedard would be interested or if he’d rather sign a one-year deal, hope to be healthy, then cash in next winter.
- RMSeattle gave morrow every chance to be a starter and it didn’t work. At least they thought he would never be in the top three of their rotation. However Toronto’s rotation is so weak now Morrow probably has more of a chance to be in the top three in their rotation than in Seattle.
MW: Well, the Jays definitely don’t have anyone like Felix Hernandez or Cliff Lee, that’s for sure. But how did Seattle give Morrow every chance to be a starter? They brought him to the big leagues after 16 innings in the minors, and pitched him out of the bullpen for all of his rookie season (2007). In 2008, he was with the big club as a reliever until he got hurt in August, and when he came off the DL they gave him five September starts. In 2009, he again made the team as a reliever, and they moved him into the rotation in mid-June after he’d been “stretched out” by throwing all of three innings in ten days. Maybe you and I have different definitions of “every chance”.
- dh12What’s the status on Overbay?
Trade bait ?
MW: Absolutely.
- BillHi Mike
I like what AA has been doing. You can’t be a middle of the road team in the AL East.
Do you think the Jays will let Morrow pitch in the minors for a bit. It looks like he was a guy who was rushed to the majors without being ready and having a set role.
Alex
MW: I think they’d like him to make the team, but have no problems with starting him at AAA if that’s what they deem the right thing to do.
- Alex HMike, I love your no-nonsense responses to some of these posts…. cracks me up. I know it’s hard to evaluate AA’s moves so far without knowing how some of these prospects are going to pan out, but what’s your opinion of what he’s done so far and his overall plan?
I like his thinking as far as rebuilding the farm system because depth in a team’s farm system is invaluable. This move for Morrow also shows that he’s simultaneously trying to fill some of the holes created in the current line-up. He seems to have an incredible work ethic and to be very personable and professional. It’s impressive to see in a 32-year-old.
Bit of a side-note … last opinion/question: I believe Cito’s gotta play Snider more for him to develop properly … your thoughts?
Keep up the great work,
Joey
MW: Snider has to play every day, period – and he shouldn’t be hitting in the ninth spot. And if Wallace makes the team, or comes up at some point this season, he shouldn’t be hitting in the ninth spot or sitting against lefties, either. It’s idiotic. As for Alex, I don’t think he’s really trying to “rebuild the farm system”, I think he’s trying to bring in as many high-end young players who are relatively close to the big leagues as possible. Those nine draft picks in the first three rounds this June will go a long way towards rebuilding the farm system.
- JoeyWhen Janssen comes back from the dl where does he fit in? I know that until now the organization has had him as a starter, but I think he’s better off in the ‘pen, and could make an excellent closer.
Your thoughts?
MW: He’s not going to be a starter anymore. I don’t know if he’s got the stuff to be an excellent closer, but I think he could be a very valuable bullpen piece, for sure.
- isabella reyesBrandon League 2009
Out of the pen 56 IP, 3.21 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 56 K’s.
Out of the dugout – 18.2 IP, 8.68 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, 19 K’s.
Wow.
MW: Told you.
- JeffMW: 1 – “You contradict yourself immediately there. Morrow CAN throw strikes – he just chooses not to – and he’s only given up 1.0 HR/9 IP in the majors and 0.4 per nine in the minors. That’s not that bad.”
What I meant obviously was he walks far too many to be very successful. You are right about the HR rate though – for whatever reason I read the stat wrong at baseball cube.
Regarding point 2 – see above. Couldn’t see anything in your comments to other posts that seemed relevant to the Taylor-Wallace trade.
MW: Maybe they were in the post previous. I had made a ton of comments, I thought, about the Wallace-Taylor thing by that point. I was just kidding with the “he chooses not to” thing, but that wasn’t your contradiction. You had said “How often do these types work out? But at least he’s a potential star” – the immediate reaction being that Morrow will bomb, but then he’s a potential star?
- Jim MaronMW: Maybe I should just stop responding to the comments and just put them up in order to make the turnaround faster.
Please, NEVER do that!!! I hope you were kidding. I love reading your responses to the questions/comments. Keep up the great work!
Thanks!
MW: I appreciate that, but I often wonder.
- Justin from ArdtreaJohermyn Chavez. From the stats i have looked at he seems to be our best power-potential guy (21 HRs at Aball). He had 10 SB too. I may be way off but he could develop into a good Power/Speed guy. Is this a case where they like Moises Sierra more?
MW: See the following blog post.
- LukaMike,
It is now a week since Halladay was traded (nice touch by Roy to publicly thank the organization and the fans of Toronto in the newspaper) and I still feel the Jays were gypped in this deal.Having to pay $6m to Philadelphia to cover Roy’s salary and not get Aumont in return from Seattle is annoying.
Easy come easy go….the salary the Jays saved on releasing Rios ends up in Philly.
MW: First of all, “gypped” is a derogatory term and you shouldn’t use it. Secondly, the Jays saved $60 million dollars in letting Rios go, not $6. Have you even seen Aumont pitch beyond that one inning at the WBC?
- MarkI personally love the trade. Like you said, I would much rather have the guy with the possibility of becoming a starter over a guy that may or may not become a reliable reliever.
I really think that a lot of Morrow’s struggles have to do with his development or lack there of in the mariners organization. The guy was called up the majors after throwing a total of 16 innings in the minors. He was never given the time to properly develop and earn his way up through the minors. I hope the Jays start him in AAA although the PCL isn’t excatly the best place for young pitchers to learn their craft
- James JenkinsLike all the moves so far from the new GM , he has taken 4 1st round pick players with the two trades this week , can he get us 2 or 3 more from Overbay and Downs trades ?
MW: It’s doubtful, but he’s definitely trying.
- GM = Nelson MOne thing this trade does for me is clearly signals the direction the new GM wants to take this team. I haven’t heard from him much but his actions tell me all I need to know. I believe he will have the farm system producing talent at all positions in a very short time giving the team a base to build from.
I am excited about this team’s future – and it has been awhile since I have been able to say that.
- mikeHi, Mike:
I’m a little late with this question, and if it’s already been addressed and I missed it, I apologize.
The question: I’m assuming that the acquisition of Lackey by the Red Sox bumps the Jays’ from first round to second round pick for Marco Scutaro. Is this correct, and have the Sox signed anyone else who would drop the pick even lower?
Thanks
MW: So far, just Lackey. Yes, the Jays now get a second-rounder and a sandwich pick.
- NormHey Mike,
What an incredible offseason! I haven’t seen this much baseball coverage through the winter in years! (Although I’m sure you’d prefer your holidays not be so completely interrupted)
I continue to be impressed by the new Jays management team, and was wondering what other moves you think we’ll see before pitchers and cathers report at the end of Feb?
Also: To save you some time, copy and paste the following: It’s MORROW not Marrow.
I’ve seen it misspelled more often than HALLADAY….
Can’t wait for the season to start, and I’m planning to head to Dunedin this year for the first time ever. Any advice to make the most of the experience?
Thanks, as always, for your great work,
MW: Go to as many games as possible in as many locations as you can. In Dunedin, you’re no more than a 90-minute drive from the Phillies, Yankees, Tigers, Braves, Astros, Pirates and Orioles. Get to the games early and head down the foul lines so you can talk to the players, and depending on when in the spring you go, head back down towards the field after the 3rd (or 5th or 7th) to get the players as they’re leaving the game. And Waffle House.
- Scotty DHi Mike,
I really like what A.A. has done with his last couple of trades. As Keith Law of ESPN has commented, he got more for six months of Halladay (three blue chip prospects) than all of what the Indians and Phils got for (two and one year of) Cliff Lee. And the Morrow deal is a gamble you have to take. I mean the kid has flirted with no-hitters twice in his career (once against the Yankees!).
That said, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. I read some people talking about the Jays being a 500 team next year. Or the Jays being better than you think. Make no mistake, next season is the rope-a-dope round where you lay back and take it on the chin. Teams like the Yankees and Red Sox are going to kick our behinds around the ball park. Other teams we’re going to struggle to go 500 against.
Those, obviously, are comments. Here’s a question I hope you might answer. Why did Doc go for a three year deal? Can’t think of another ace-in-his-prime who didn’t want to stretch his big contract out to five years.
Your thoughts? (Good postings lately by the way.)
MW: First – the Jays will be better than you think next year. Second – I’m not sure why Halladay went for a three-year deal (four with the option). Maybe it’s because it’s all the Phillies wanted to give him and he really wanted to go there, or maybe it’s because he’ll be going into his age-38 season when it’s over and would like to give himself a real shot at free agency when he might still have his choice of teams to go to. It is really a five-year deal, though, if you include the option, because it doesn’t kick in until 2011.
- steveMike
What is JP doing right now? Last year he was always bragging about how he was constantly getting offers for jobs.
MW: No, he wasn’t. He just said that if he was fired from the Jays, he’d have no trouble getting back into a big-league front office. And he wouldn’t. But he can just sit back for a year while the Jays pay him to do nothing, which is what he’s doing.
- NickI like this trade but wonder a little why Seattle would give up on this guy..Top of the rotation pitchers don’t exactly grow on trees..League has issues as well especially with sudden losses of velocity..
Morrow has said in the past that he doesn’t mind being a relief pitcher because its easier for him to take care of his diabetic condition..Has that changed?..Who made that decision?..If he isn’t going to start then the Jays pretty much stand pat in this deal because they really don’t need relief pitching..
Looks like we finally agree on something..Overbay and Johnson would have made a decent top of the order combo..
MW: I don’t get the whole “give up on this guy” thing. The Mariners didn’t give up on Morrow, they traded him for someone who they feel will fill a more immediate need.
- ray bLove this trade. Hope Morrow’s arm is ok. Id like to see him close the way he did when Putz went down!
MW: I’d like to see him start – and so would the Jays.
- slobberfaceSeems that one a Braves pitcher leaves Atlanta, they fall apart. Thus Vazquez’s 2nd time with the Yanks will be even wore than his 1st, especially with all the homers that he’s given up in pithers parks over his career. Cabrera will certainly be better than anyone else the Braves have had in the of.
Perhaps the Jays could sign Damon for a yr or 2 as primarily a dh & let him grow his beard and hair back. He’d fill the place as long as he could hit.
MW: The Jays don’t need another DH. I don’t get the Melky-love.
- tomasI dont get this move..chavez is listed as a top 5 prospect of ours in most farm rankings…I wish this Morrow kid all the best of health..but…didnt this organization learn its lesson after Mcgowan?…theirs a reason why Seattle is dumping a 25 year old great arm
MW: Yeah, it’s because they got back Brandon League. What’s the McGowan lesson – stay away from diabetics? I don’t think that’s exactly fair.
- jpQuestions:
1. Does Morrow start the season in the #3 spot behind Ricky and Shawn?
2. Looking at his stats he hasn’t exactly logged 150+ innings. Would he have a IP limit?
3. I was watching some video on this kid and his 98Mph FB was impressive but what are his other pitches and are they as good as his heat?
I think after losing Doc, this is exactly what the Jay’s had to do.
MW: 1 – Hopefully behind Shaun and Ricky, but I would say probably. 2 – Chances are. 3 – If his other pitches were as good as his fastball, he wouldn’t have been traded. He’s got a strong curve, though it needs work.
- DavidMike, I wish it was Downs or Frasor going the other way rather than League.
If you broke down League’s struggles this year it was nearly always when Cito would run him out for a 2nd inning. If given a true 8th inning only role, I can see League really becoming a star and eventually gain the confidence to close.
MW: That’s why League brought back Morrow – Downs or Frasor wouldn’t have.
- jamesMike,
Few questions for you?
1. Any chance of moving Wells?
2. Any chance of the Jays going after Carlos Delgado to give the fans something to look forward too?
3. What prospects do we have for 3B, SS, C and the outfield. That’s where we’re weak.
4. I worry about the team’s long-term future in Toronto. The majority of the team’s fan base is old. Today’s youth doesn’t like baseball much. To attract them, the following should be done:
1. Promote the game at the grass roots level and towards youth.
2. MLB needs to speed the game up and make it more exciting to attract youth. (Example: putting in a pitch clock much like a shot clock in basketball)
3. I know it would hard, in this economic environment but why not push to have a smaller, natural grass stadium built, more towards the suburbs. It could be much like Miller Park, Safeco, etc. with a retractable roof.
What do you think?
MW: 1 – Nope. 2 – Maybe, though I don’t think his presence would raise attendance. Personally, I’d rather see Brett Wallace than Delgado. 3 – Not much. Kevin Ahrens and Justin Jackson are a ways away, they’re a third baseman and a shortstop who seem to be Johermyn Chavez-like as far as their progress is concerned. There are a ton of catching prospects in J.P. Arencibia, Brian Jeroloman and Travis D’Arnaud, and the outfield for the next few years will have at least Wells and Travis Snider in it, if not Adam Lind, too.
- JoeAlthough expectations are low, I, for one, am looking forward to 2010. AA has given us cause for hope for the future instead of signing 3-4 pitchers who are well passed their prime or injury-prone as we have seen in the past. It will be interesting to see the youth develop!
- AllanI assume that he is not done yet.
Mike, any speculation on the next deals – Overbay, 3B, catcher?
Mike.
I hope you’re having a happy Hanukkah, or has it already happened? I’ll be having Christmas with my family over the next 2 days. As far as this trade goes, is Morrow a candidate for the rotation in 2010, maybe as the #3 potentially behind Romero and Marcum?
My Christmas wish is for Tom Cheek to win the Ford Frick Award, vote for him folks. Have a good one Mike.
Peter, St.Catharines
- PeterMichael,
Are you out of your Vulcan mind?
The Jays acquire one of the best names in baseball, “Lance Broadway” and you don’t mention it?
MW: Vulcan? Long way to go to avoid a cuss-word, ain’t it? I didn’t mention Lance Broadway because I don’t think I’ll be mentioning him on too many broadcasts.
- Uncle BenMorrow’s had flashes of brilliance in his career. I remember watching the game in which he came within two outs of a no-no against the Yankees.
As erratic as League has been at times, I’ve enjoyed watching him pitch and he’ll be missed; I’m very excited about this trade, however.
Do you think Butter will get a shot at managing this team in ’11 or is it more likely that Anthopoulos will hire from outside the organization?
Thanks Mike and keep up the great work.
Happy Chanukah to you and yours.
MW: Thanks, we had a lovely Chanukah. I hope Butter gets a shot to manage this team, I think he’d do a great job. I think they’ll take a good, hard look outside the organization, but I hope Butter gets an equal shot.
- ClayRegarding Taylor and Wallace as hitters. I heard you on the FAN590 today saying Wallace is a much better hitter. According to major league equivalencies that is simply not true.
Taylor 09 – MLE
.264 BA, .317OB, .438SLUG, .756OPS
Wallace
.245BA, . 281OB, .370SLUG
.650OPS
You can say that Wallace projects as a better hitter but last year he wasn’t even close to Taylor as a hitter.
I never get excited about guys the scouts say can hit when they don’t actually show great stats. .650OPS MLE at 22 is not particularly impressive for a corner infielder.
MW: Wallace is obviously being punished for playing in the Pacific Coast League, about which there’s nothing that he can do. Also, you realize that MLEs are a theoretical construct, right?
- Jim MaronA little history about baseball in Toronto. Back in the 50′s the Toronto Maple Leafs of the International League was a hot ticket. Tens of thousands attended games at the fleet street flats. Then over the years baseball died. In the end the old Fleet Street Flats were getting about 700 kids to every game back in 1966. In my opinion the Jays will suffer the same fate. Maybe not 700 at a game but only a few thousand. Toronto is not a baseball town. It was back in 1992 and 1993. That was a novelty with the sky dome and the jays winning the world series. If I were you Wilner I would be looking for a new city to ply your trade. Just a few thoughts.
MW: Yes, the fate of a minor-league team in the 1960′s has a lot to do with what’s going on now. I hope you’re walking around with a construction helmet on – don’t want to get hit by the falling sky, after all.
- joe e