Toronto Blue Jays left field trade possibilities

Sep 19, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Seattle Mariners right fielder Michael Saunders (55) reaches on an error during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Toronto Blue Jays are still digesting the news that left fielder Michael Saunders will be out until the All Star break with a torn meniscus.  After coming to the Jays from Seattle in exchange for J.A. Happ, Saunders was expected to replace some of the production lost from Melky Cabrera while chipping in with his glove and speed potential on the base paths.

The injury hits the Toronto Blue Jays in a spot where they can ill afford to lose starters, and has left the team with a Little League styled tryout at left field over the next month.  Kevin Pillar surely has the first shot at the job, but names like Andy Dirks, Ezequiel Carrera, Caleb Gindl and Chris Dickerson will be given a chance.  Keep in mind that the fourth outfielder spot is now freed up, as well, and manager John Gibbons will even be giving Chris Colabello and Danny Valencia a look in the outfield.  Rejoice, Jays fans.

Alex Anthopoulos has wisely stated that he will wait to see what plays out with his in-house depth.  A left fielder can be plugged into the position quickly if needed, so the Blue Jays have the benefit of one month to take an inventory of their own assets.  A trade at this point would not only be a knee-jerk reaction, but it would send a poor message about management’s confidence in the locker room.

As the Spring rolls on, out-of-option players could enter the picture as well.  We all know how Anthopoulos likes a good waiver wire pickup.  It’s important to remember, though, that Anthopoulos, and possibly John Gibbons, could be playing for their jobs this season.  If the Replacement Level Derby in left isn’t showing promise, the Jays may be more inclined than usual to make a move and start this season off on the right foot.

Ahead, we take a look at several left field options that the Blue Jays, for better or for worse, could make calls on leading up to Opening Day.  Some of these names make perfect sense, while others are included solely to highlight their unlikely nature.  Remember, the Blue Jays do have players on their roster at left field.  Adding a player who hits .280 with 20 home runs is not adding that from zero, but upgrading 10-20 points in the batting average and 5-7 home runs.  The situation in Toronto is unfortunate, but as some of these candidates show, the best replacement options truly may come from within.

Next: A jumbo Diamondback with a power bat

Sep 24, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks designated hitter Mark Trumbo (15) in the on deck circle against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Trumbo  –  Arizona Diamondbacks

Contract Remaining:  1 year, $6.9M  (Arbitration eligible in 2016)

The slugging Mark Trumbo has come up in several of our conversations over the past few months.  After seasons of 29, 34 and 32 home runs with the Los Angeles Angels from 2011-2013, he was traded to the Diamondbacks last season where he would appear in just 88 games due to a stress fracture in his foot.

While the power numbers are encouraging, Anthopoulos may be hesitant to look at Trumbo as he has stated that the team is trying to move away from boom-or-bust hitters that strike out too frequently.  I’m looking at you, Juan Francisco.  Trumbo’s 2013 season is a perfect example of this, as he matched 34 home runs with 184 strikeouts.

Although he is yet another right handed bat, Trumbo could also offer value at the 1B and DH positions.  Justin Smoak and Daric Barton seem to be in competition for a roster spot there, which isn’t the most encouraging situation.  Trumbo has appeared in 177 career games as a left fielder, but is no gazelle.  The Jays would need to be willing to take some serious lumps on defense in exchange for his splash at-bats.

The contract here is somewhat manageable, and another season of power numbers could turn Trumbo into a strong designated hitter or bench bat once Michael Saunders returns.  I do feel that Anthopoulos is look for more of a bandaid at the position, though.  With the Diamondbacks involved, this is a situation with the potential of Dioner Navarro being included in a deal, although his left-handed bat has become even more valuable after the Saunders injury.

Next: Cleveland's versatile veteran

Sep 28, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Indians right fielder David Murphy (7) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

David Murphy  –  Cleveland Indians

Contract Remaining:  1 year, $6M ($7M team option for 2016 with $500K buyout)

The addition of Brandon Moss leaves the Cleveland Indians with three left-handed bats in the outfield, and many have speculated that Murphy will be their first choice to move.  In the situation that the Jays can’t find a single starter out of their tryout group, Murphy is a name that Anthopoulos would be wise to consider closer to Opening Day.

Murphy is entering his 12th season in the Major Leagues with a career slash line of .273 / .335 / .433.  While he’s stronger against right-handed hitters, he scrapes by against lefties and could be a full-time option if the Blue Jays hope to avoid a platoon situation in left field.

The risk involved with Murphy is that his play has been all over the place since 2012.  In that season, Murphy batted .304 / .380 / .479 with 15 home runs and 61 runs batted in.  In 2013, Murphy plummeted to his worst professional season with a .220 average before resurfacing towards his career averages last season.  At 33 years old, age shouldn’t be a factor yet, but the Blue Jays can’t afford to trade for a player that will have a down year.

Murphy played average defense for much of his career before a slight dip in 2014, and has the ability to work the count for walks.  Whether it be as a fringe starter or solid fourth outfielder, Murphy is a name to watch.

Next: Another veteran from a division rival

Jun 12, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; Cleveland Indians left fielder Ryan Raburn (9) hits a single during the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Ryan Raburn  –  Cleveland Indians

Remaining Contract:  1 year, $2.5M  ($3M team option in 2016, $100K buyout)

Another piece of the Indians’ crowded outfield comes in Ryan Raburn, who enters this season without any restrictions following an arthroscopic knee surgery in September to repair a torn meniscus.  Sound familiar?

Raburn would offer a power bat off the bench with the ability to platoon against left-handed pitching.  His 2014 season was a disaster, however, as he slashed .200 / .250 / .297.  The power factor with Raburn makes me nervous as well, because his slugging percentage rose or fell by over 100 points several times through his career.  Again, if the Jays are going to make a move, it can’t be for another high-risk asset.

He has appeared in 145 games at 2nd base, but hasn’t seen significant time at the position recently.  Given that Raburn is 33-years old, coming off of knee surgery and a down season, Anthopoulos may not be tripping over himself to put him on the Rogers Centre turf.  This would be more of a depth move, and one that would not come unless the price were cheap or the situation were dire.

Next: Unrealized potential from the Padres

Sep 21, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin (24) hits a two RBI single during the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Cameron Maybin  –  San Diego Padres

Contract Remaining:  2 years, $15M  ($9M team option in 2017, $1M buyout)

The 27-year old former top-10 pick has become part of a very crowded outfield in San Diego, causing trade rumors to swirl around him.  Maybin was a hot young name in baseball for years, and was even included in the blockbuster deal that sent Miguel Cabrera to the Detroit Tigers, but his star has taken a fast fall over the past few seasons.

Maybin has appeared in just 109 games in 2012, recording only two home runs over that span.  His 2014 season was a complete disappointment, hitting .235 / .290 / .331.  Outside of stealing 40 bases in 2011, Maybin has yet to put together a complete and quality season, or flash a single dominant trait that would make him intriguing to the Blue Jays.

Keep in mind that the Blue Jays aren’t in a situation where they have zero left fielders.  Out of Kevin Pillar and several others, they should have no problem finding someone to hit .240 and play respectable defense.  Adding a ton of salary for a player that they already have on the roster isn’t logical, and it won’t happen.  As he stands now, Maybin is nothing more than an expensive downgrade.

Next: A calm, peaceful, Padre (not really)

Jul 4, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres left fielder Carlos Quentin (18) at bat during the seventh inning against the San Francisco Giants at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Carlos Quentin  –  San Diego Padres

Contract Remaining:  1 year, $8M  ($10M mutual option in 2016, $3M buyout)

Another victim of the San Diego Padres’ outfield situation could be Carlos Quentin, who has taken a bit of a fall himself since his starring days with the Chicago White Sox.  Due to knee injuries, Quentin has not appeared in more than 86 games in either of the past three seasons.

In 2014, Quenton made it into just 50 games, posting an ugly .177 / .284 / .315 slash line with just four home runs.  His career .484 slugging percentage is very encouraging and Quentin has had seasons with good vision at the plate, but this is the wrong time in his career to be adding him.

Similarly to Maybin, the cost involved here does not make sense for the level of upgrade that the Toronto Blue Jays would be receiving in return.  There is a reason that clubs are willing to trade players, and that reason is rarely a good one.  Add to his declining play the fact that Quentin has a reputation for being, well, an absolute lunatic on the field, and this one doesn’t really add up for the Jays.

Next: Dodgers looking to dump a contract

Sep 18, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pinch hitter Andre Ethier (16) hits an RBI double against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Ethier  –  LA Dodgers

Contract Remaining:  3 years, $53.5M  ($17.5M vesting option for 2018, $2.5M buyout)

I include Ethier solely in an effort to cover all of our bases, because I’ve seen his name pop up in several different discussions.  Ethier isn’t far removed from playing some very good baseball, but his 2014 numbers regressed with a slash line of .249 / .322 / .370.

As you see, Ethier is due a mammoth salary over the next few seasons, and unless the Dodgers ate 95% of his remaining contract, the return of Shea Hillenbrand and Ted Lilly is more likely than Ethier coming to the Toronto Blue Jays.

If the Dodgers are lucky enough to offload his contract, a team will be getting a great hitter against right-handed pitching, but a liability against the lefties.  Ethier shows again that the line between the Blue Jays’ in-house options and overpaid trade targets is thinner than one might expect.

Next: Do Blue Jays still believe in analytics?

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