Troy Tulowitzki Joins Star Filled Toronto Blue Jays Lineup

Apr 13, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Roberto Osuna (54) and Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Miguel Castro (51) walk to the bull pen before the home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre. The Tampa Bay Rays won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

PROSPECTS

I know prospects are prospects and nothing is guaranteed, but Jeff Hoffman was a potential top 3 in the draft the year he was selected in the draft and he has recovered fully from injuries that had him sidelined since the draft. This being the first year he pitches since undergoing surgery, he is already up to AA, doing better than expected when working through getting his arm strength back. 

Toronto Blue Jays

Overall, he has 67 IP, 68 HA, 17 BB, 46 Ks, and a 1.26 Whip this year between HiA and AA.

With his build, pedigree, and arsenal, he will be ready for MLB action sometime in 2016 and will likely become a strong #3 at a minimum, with the possibility of becomes a #2.

Miguel Castro made it to MLB as a reliever at 20 years old. He may have faltered and been sent down for some work on his stuff, but let’s remember that even Roy Halladay had to be sent back down to HiA before he found his stuff and worked his way back to MLB. Castro is back up to AAA and has only allowed 1 ER over his last 7 games. At 6’5″ 190 lbs, he’s going to be durable and a workhorse in the pen
with the potential to become a setup – more than likely a closer – at some point in the next 5 years.

The prize in this equation is definitely Hoffman, but Castro can’t be understated as well. Between him Aaron Sanchez, and Roberto Osuna, the Jays could have had the youngest and most affordable back end in all of MLB. They all get along, all grew up together in the system, and Osuna and Castro are best friends off the field. Now the Jays not only trade Castro away, irking Osuna, but got a 42 year old in return who may not be effective at all pitching in the AL. The last time he threw in the AL was for the Angels in 2012 and he wound up with a 1.381 whip and 3.64 ERA. In one word, ugly.

There are 2 reasons I dislike this deal for the Jays. The first is that they not only didn’t address their areas of need (pen and rotation), but they dealt away pieces that could have helped them there in August or September (Hoffman and Castro) in return for a 42 yr old ineffective vet. Can anyone explain that one to me?

The second reason is that while their lineup got better overall with Tulo in it, the Jays now have little to no speed, no lead off guy, and are way too RHB heavy. The Jays are going to miss their switch hitting lead off guy. So while I love the death row of Donaldson, Tulo, Bautista, Edwin, it is not going to be as effective as it could be with a true lead off hitter.

Next: The Verdict