SEATTLE – In one fell swoop the Toronto Blue Jays have dramatically revamped their bullpen and seemingly opened up a spot for Anthony Gose in their outfield.
A wild night of wheeling and dealing Monday sent long-time prospect Travis Snider to the Pittsburgh Pirates for set-up man Brad Lincoln and opening day left-fielder Eric Thames to the Seattle Mariners for reliever Steve Delabar.
TO.. It’s been real. Thank you all for everything. Staff/players/fans I can’t say it enough. First Class all the way! Honored and blessed. — Travis Snider (@Lunchboxhero45) July 31, 2012
TO.. It’s been real. Thank you all for everything. Staff/players/fans I can’t say it enough. First Class all the way! Honored and blessed.
— Travis Snider (@Lunchboxhero45) July 31, 2012
The two right-handers, acquired during a 4-1 loss at Safeco Field, join a relief corps that until recently only had closer Casey Janssen as a sure thing for 2013 and beyond. But with the emergence of Aaron Loup, the earlier acquisition of J.A. Happ and David Carpenter (currently at triple-A Las Vegas) and now Lincoln and Delabar, the ‘pen is suddenly much deeper.
At the same time, a once crowded outfield picture now seems to have room for Gose in it to the season’s end and beyond, unless general manager Alex Anthopoulos still has more moves coming before Tuesday’s 4 p.m. ET non-waiver trade deadline.
Lincoln, 27, is likely to see immediate action in a key set-up role, having gone 2-0 with a 0.50 earned-run average in 23 relief appearances of the Pirates after posting a 2-2 mark with a 6.08 ERA in five starts. He struck out 40 in 35.2 innings out of the bullpen, allowing just 22 hits and eight walks.
“He’s had an outstanding year with the Pirates, has really emerged as a late-inning reliever for them,” said Blue Jays manager John Farrell. “His velocity has ticked up a little bit going into shorter stints, he’s always had the ability to spin a breaking ball when he was at the University of Houston, and that’s been one of his calling cards throughout the minor-leagues.
“In this case, where he’s moved into those shorter stints, everything has become a little bit more powerful, a little bit more crisp.”
Delabar, 29, was 2-1 with a 4.67 ERA in 34 games for the Mariners, striking out 46 in 36.2 innings but of the 23 hits he allowed, nine were home runs. He comes to the Blue Jays with a remarkable story, a 29th-round pick of the San Diego Padres who fell out of baseball after cracking his elbow but rebuilt himself through an extreme throwing program and was signed by Seattle in March 2011 while supply teaching in Kentucky.
He climbed three levels last season before making his big-league debut, and has been up and down with the Mariners this year.
“I thanked (the Mariners) for what they let me do and giving me the opportunity to get up here,” said Delabar, who was informed of the trade right after stepping off the field. “Emotions right now, I’m really up in the air, I don’t know what kind of role I’m going to have or what it’s going to be over there. I just know it’s going to be out of the bullpen.”
The price for both right-handers was steep, particularly for Lincoln, with the organization’s one-time golden boy Snider headed to the Pirates.
Hugely popular with Blue Jays fans, many of whom viewed him as the next franchise player, the trade triggered outrage on Twitter, as their valuation of the 24-year-old varied widely from that of trade market.
Up and down since making his debut as a 20-year-old in 2008, Snider, who was taken 10 spots after Lincoln in the ’06 draft, was off to a decent start in what many felt was his last legitimate chance to stick with the Blue Jays. Through 10 games he was batting .250 with three homers and eight RBIs, but his 14 strikeouts offered reason for concern.
Still, after being called off the field after emerging from the dugout for the bottom of the seventh inning, a fresh start away from all the accumulated baggage, regardless of how much he’s matured, may be just what he needs.
“Experiencing what I have, I’ve definitely learned a lot from that and moving forward, the mindset has to stay the same, same as when I got called up this last time,” he said. “What I’ve worked hard to develop is to take things one day at a time and controlling what I can control. I’m going to work hard for the Pittsburgh Pirates and go out there and play hard every day. …
“The opportunity to play in October is what we all dream about. It’s tough to say goodbye but at the same time I’m excited for the new opportunity.”
There is risk in this deal for the Blue Jays should Snider reach his ceiling as multi-tool outfielder, but in parting with him they may have a private sense that he may not realize all his potential.
“We’re parting ways with a young talented outfielder in Travis who is still trying to get established on an everyday basis at the big-leagues,” said Farrell, “but we felt like we gave up a quality player to get a guy who’s starting to come into his own in Lincoln.”
The big beneficiary in this deal may be Gose, who was in theory battling Snider to remain in the big-leagues once Jose Bautista comes off the disabled list, but with Thames gone too appears to be the man for left field. A crack may also have been opened for outfielder Moises Sierra, who’s been making progress at triple-A Las Vegas.
The Blue Jays will need to do some juggling to clear space for Delabar, who needs only to walk across the diamond to find his new teammates, and balance out a roster that has 10 relievers on it. Evan Crawford and Joel Carreno were called up on an emergency basis last week and have yet to see action.
Thames, meanwhile, will join the Mariners for Tuesday’s contest, a reunion with the Blue Jays from the other side of the dugout.
“There’s a lot of stir recently about things happening, so you’re kind of on your toes and you know this might be a possibility,” said Delabar. “You take it in stride and go with it.”
Sad to see not only a great teammate but a brother to me @lunchboxhero45 go. Wish him the best of luck in Pittsburgh. #LTD — Ricky Romero (@RickyRo24) July 31, 2012
Sad to see not only a great teammate but a brother to me @lunchboxhero45 go. Wish him the best of luck in Pittsburgh. #LTD
— Ricky Romero (@RickyRo24) July 31, 2012
Have to hate this time of the year, going to miss @lunchboxhero45 and @ethames14 …at the same time wish them the best of luck! — Jose Bautista(@JoeyBats19) July 31, 2012
Have to hate this time of the year, going to miss @lunchboxhero45 and @ethames14 …at the same time wish them the best of luck!
— Jose Bautista(@JoeyBats19) July 31, 2012
Want to wish @lunchboxhero45 the best, gonna miss ya kid!! Take that effort to Pittsburg and they’ll love u there too! #goodluck — Casey Janssen (@CaseyJanssen) July 31, 2012
Want to wish @lunchboxhero45 the best, gonna miss ya kid!! Take that effort to Pittsburg and they’ll love u there too! #goodluck
— Casey Janssen (@CaseyJanssen) July 31, 2012
Jays have control of Lincoln through 2018, Snider under control through 2016. Lincoln fourth overall in 2006, Snider went 10 picks later — Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 31, 2012
Jays have control of Lincoln through 2018, Snider under control through 2016. Lincoln fourth overall in 2006, Snider went 10 picks later
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 31, 2012
Brad Lincoln has been an excellent reliever in the NL Central. I have some doubts about whether he can start in the AL East. #BlueJays — Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2012
Brad Lincoln has been an excellent reliever in the NL Central. I have some doubts about whether he can start in the AL East. #BlueJays
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2012
