Blue Jays Quiet: AL East Trade Deadline Recap

Dec 9, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks with reporters during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays did little to please a hungry fan base on the July 31st non-waiver trade deadline.  Refuting reports that he was under orders to add no more salary, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos reiterated Thursday that the trades presented did not make enough baseball sense.  As much of the rest of the league showed aggression in buying or selling, the Blue Jays will ride the horse that got them here, hoping for the best along the way.

That said, the AL East was one of the busier divisions in baseball leading up to the deadline, and these moves will impact the Blue Jays as they chase the pennant in 2014 and beyond.

Ahead we will take a look at each team’s activity, and the impact of those moves on the future of the AL East.

Jul 25, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Jon Lester (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Boston Red Sox

– SP Felix Doubront traded to Chicago Cubs for a Player to be Named Later

– SP Jon Lester and OF Jonny Gomes traded to Oakland Athletics for OF Yoenis Cespedes and a competitive balance draft choice

– SP John Lackey, SP Corey Littrell, and cash traded to St. Louis Cardinals for OF/1B Allen Craig and SP Joe Kelly

– RP Andrew Miller traded to Baltimore Orioles for SP Eduardo Rodriguez

– SS Stephen Drew and cash to New York Yankees for 2B Kelly Johnson

Impact:  Over their years as buyers at the deadline, the Red Sox must have taken some great notes on how to sell.  Jon Lester, John Lackey, and Andrew Miller have all been key pieces to the Red Sox pitching, but their returns should make the deals easier to stomach.

In Cespedes and Craig, Boston acquires a current and former All-Star that will bolster their struggling lineup and re-awaken a sleeping outfield.  Yoenis Cespedes should have an absolute field day with the Green Monster, and could be David Ortiz‘s new Manny Ramirez if all goes as planned.

Along with a small prospect influx, including one of Baltimore’s top-5 in Eduardo Rodriguez, Boston’s Stephen Drew deal allows Will Middlebrooks and Xander Bogaerts to man the left side of the infield at Fenway.  The Red Sox will need to be extremely active in rebuilding their rotation this offseason, but the finances are certainly in place to add a strong staff to this improved batting order.

Jul 30, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher David Price (14) throws a pitch during the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa Bay Rays

– SP David Price traded to Detroit Tigers as part of three-team deal with Seattle Mariners.  Rays receive 2B Nick Franklin, SP Drew Smyly, and SS Willy Adames

Impact:  The most important impact of this trade in the short-term for the Toronto Blue Jays is very similar to the Jon Lester trade: an ace has left the division.  I had begun to think that the Rays may hold on to David Price, hoping for a late run in 2014 and a stronger season in 2015, but alas the Rays brain trust determined they had too much ground and too many horses to jump in order to get it done.

The package they received in return, at face value, doesn’t appear to offset the loss of Price, but many scouts hold prospect Willy Adames in extremely high regard.  At just 18 years of age, Adames was a top-3 level prospect in Detroit’s system with a  very high ceiling.  However, even if Adames’ full potential is realized, it could be 3-4 years until he impacts ball games against the Blue Jays.

The short-term return of Drew Smyly and Nick Franklin don’t necessarily wow anyone. Franklin had trouble winning a job on a Seattle team that needed offense, and Smyly at best is a number 3 starter. However, they both address current needs of the club and provide more depth and control for the Rays.

This move, like Lester’s, should help Toronto avoid 1-2 starts against an elite pitcher this season.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

New York Yankees

– 2B Kelly Johnson traded to Boston Red Sox for SS Stephen Drew and cash

– C Peter O’Brien and a Player to be Named Later traded to Arizona for 3B Martin Prado

– Claimed RP Esmil Rogers off waivers from Toronto Blue Jays

Impact:  Despite their rotation woes, the Yankees can not be forgotten.  While Blue Jays fans have their sights fixed firmly on the Baltimore Orioles, New York made some mid-level moves on Thursday to re-organize their infield for the home stretch.

Stephen Drew is expected to see time at 2B in place of the recently DFA’d Brian Roberts.  Martin Prado‘s versatility could see him platoon at 2B, 3B, or even a corner outfield spot as the Yankees will look to use his bat against left-handed pitching.  The Yankees improved while losing little on deadline day, with O’Brien, often rated in the 8-12 range of Yankee prospects, the most noticeable departure.

These are not moves that will propel New York past Baltimore and the Blue Jays immediately, but this is a team that is serious about contention and their improving lineup should not be taken lightly.