Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos has discussed trade proposals for relievers Scott Downs and Jason Frasor within the last few weeks, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Morosi notes that the recent struggles of Downs, Frasor, and the rest of the Blue Jays' bullpen could negatively impact Toronto's trade leverage. The Jays' 5.69 relief ERA ranks next-to-last in the American League, and the normally reliable Downs and Frasor have played a significant part in the bullpen's problems. Downs has a 5.63 ERA in eight innings, while Frasor has compiled a 9.35 ERA in 8.2 IP. It's probably too early to be concerned though — Downs has been consistently effective in Toronto, recording a 2.26 ERA from 2007 to 2009, and Frasor's .527 BABIP so far has inflated his ratios.
The Jays aren't expected to contend this year, meaning they could auction off free-agents-to-be like Downs and Frasor before July's trade deadline. Morosi names the Cubs, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Reds, Marlins, Brewers, and Rays as some teams that could be in need of bullpen help this season.
Downs was once traded for Mike Morgan, and was then traded with Rick Aguilera. That doesn’t really have anything to do with this story, but it’s kind of amusing for some reason that he’s still going.
One early season blow out is bloating Downs’ ERA, it’s not gonna be that high for long
He’s giving up a lot more contact this year, but he’s also been walking guys less and inducing more groundballs. Once his K rate gets back to a normal level, he’ll go back to being one of the best relievers in the AL.
It’s a shame AA didn’t trade Frasor in the offseason when his value was at its peak. Especially after signing Gregg, there was no reason to hold onto Frasor. I’m betting no one will pick up Frasor until he shows improvement from these April struggles.
What really worries me about Frasor is that he’s not even holding his velocity from last season. His fastball is down over 2 MPH on average, and he’s seen a similar drop in his slider, too.
His command’s been shaky this year, too, but it’s never good to see a two-pitch reliever lose over 2 MPH on both of his pitches.
What was supposed to be Toronto’s strongest part of the team this year the bullpen, has ended up being a laughing stock so far.
Funny how two bad games makes it a laughing stock huh? Before they went to Tampa, the bullpen was tremendous.
I seriously doubt the Brewers will be in the market for relievers any time soon. Hoffman had a couple bad games, but he’s fine and they have quite a bit invested in him. Hawkins too has struggled but his struggles have been offset largely by Carlos Villanueva (0.00 ERA in 11 IP). Furthermore, the Brewers have relief arms lined up at AAA starting with lefties Mitch Stetter and Zach Braddock (17 K’s, 3H, 0 R, in 9 1/3).
is John Mayberry Jr enough to pry either of them? or is that crazy talk?
Probably not, especially after they’ve added Fred Lewis.
Mayberry really doesn’t look like he’ll become an everyday player at this point. He’s got power, but he doesn’t make a lot of contact or walk much, and he’s stuck in an outfield corner, where it doesn’t appear that he’ll have enough offense. He should stick around for a while as a fourth outfielder-type, but I doubt that there’s much trade interest in him.
It could make for an interesting trade of selling low, while another team sells high to move a contract and open up a position. The Cubs are mentioned and a trade of Kosuke Fukudome might make sense to open up RF for Tyler Colvin, free up some money, and add a veteran to the bullpen mix.
WhooHoo! Maybe we wont get stuck reliving the Juan Cruz experiment after all!
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind if the Cubs to gave Cruz a shot.
It’d be a cheap risk, and he was a pretty damn good reliever when he was racking up strikeouts. The strikeouts were the main thing missing last season and they were back in his first few appearances in 2010.
He’s not a savior or anything, but he’s the best option on the market that won’t cost anything.
Last 3 and a bit years
1.366 WHIP, 5.1 BB/9, .863 aLI, 75% Hold%, 40% inherited runners scoring
No better then the kids we got, and without the upside.
Question: Seeing that Frasor is walking almost a batter per inning, is it possible that Frasor has a .527 BABIP because he’s serving up low 90s meatballs when behind in the count? Or has he really just been unlucky?
I wish that maybe they’d not care that the Red Sox are in the same division, and be willing to make Scott Downs available to us. I don’t trust our bullpen that much.
i really doubt the jays wouldnt deal downs to the red sox for a few months just because theyre in the same division
I dont think the Dodgers get involved in trades for a reliever, unless they are the ones dealing. The pen numbers are skewed by Ramon and Russ Ortiz both getting serious innings. Now that Kuo and Belisario are back, along with Sherrill hopefully getting past mechanical troubles, and our pen is right back to being one of the strongest in the majors. If one of our prospects does really well in AAA, look for us to deal Sherrill, who is making 5M to setup. As a closer, that cost is OK, but to be the 2nd or 3rd setup man, it is a waste of funds