The Blue Jays have designated lefty Felix Doubront for assignment, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet.ca reports on Twitter. The move creates roster space for the activation of Troy Tulowitzki.
Still just 27 years of age, Doubront was not long ago looked at as a potential rotation piece for the Red Sox. He topped 160 innings in both the 2012 and 2013 seasons with Boston, working to an overall ERA of 4.59. While that mark isn’t terribly impressive, he showed a good ability to miss bats (8.5 K/9) in addition to a ground-ball rate of roughly 44 percent, both of which helped to partially offset his questionable control (4.0 BB/9). Sabermetric marks like FIP and xFIP pegged his talent level closer to 4.00 than his 4.59 ERA.
Doubront’s velocity has declined, though. After averaging 92.7 mph in 2012, he averaged 90.5 mph in 2013 and has seen his fastball hover around 90 mph since that time. This season with the Blue Jays, he pitched to a 4.76 ERA with a 13-to-5 K/BB raito in 22 2/3 innings. While the sample was brief, Doubront did see a massive spike in his ground-ball rate, which soared to 64.6 percent. He’s utilized a cut fastball far more in 2015 than he did in 2012-13, perhaps signaling a change in his approach on the mound.
WHAT?!!!!???? Who’s this new guy?? We’ll miss you Felix!!!!
And also creates a hole in the starting rotation that will need to be filled. Norris? Sanchez? Or some upcoming trade?
Orioles will give you Bud Norris and Travis Snider for a bag of used catcher’s equipment from at least 1981.
With our rotation, I’ll take it!!
As long as the Orioles will cover those salaries I think it would be a fair trade.
I would assume Sanchez. I think they’re still a little unsure on Norris being ready and I don’t think they want to throw him in quite yet. Next turn for that spot isn’t til after Friday though so could be a trade in the works, as a Brewer fan I’m still holding out hope on the rumors that Toronto will give them something for Fiers.
Sanchez doesn’t have the innings built up, so it’s Norris or someone outside the organization, you’d expect AA has something he can act on prior to friday
You would assume incorrectly. Sanchez is in the pen for the year, barring some natural disaster/ trade/ WS appearance.
Then who? Norris is still scuffling with his control and I don’t see them getting in on Price or paying what Philly will get for Hamels (although maybe I’m wrong). Sanchez hasn’t been stretched out and the assumption is he’ll stay in the pen the rest of the season, but it has been suggested he gets moved back to the rotation temporarily if they can’t get any kind of deal done. More off a spot start and hope to get 4-5 innings out of him. I would expect they have something in the works, but if not someone is going to have to start.
Maybe Boyd will get another shot?
My guess is Francis Based on his numbers since being down
I would not be surprised to see Toronto pursue a guy like Mike Leake.
Look at what Jeff Francis has done since being sent down…..not the greatest option but I am sure the one they choose
I’d like to see the Reds pick him up.
Well, Felix is another in a long line of “rock star” Red Sox prospect from the greatest farm system in the majors according to ESPN and Peter Gammons!!!!
Another failure when given a major league chance and a good reason for broadcasters to not put them in the hall of fame after a cup of coffee in the majors.
Star credentials are earned after careers of brilliance and longevity…doing it the better than everybody else, day after day for entire careers.
Anyway, as I said another Red Sox prospect hits the dust!!!