The Blue Jays‘ somewhat surprising decision this morning to designate Danny Valencia for assignment confused many fans. Valencia has, after all, had a very strong season at the plate, batting .296/.331/.506, and he’s capable of playing several positions and raking against lefties. As Sportsnet.ca’s Ben Nicholson-Smith explains, manager John Gibbons told GM Alex Anthopoulos that he wanted new acquisition Ben Revere to play every day rather than platooning, leaving one of Valencia or Chris Colabello without much of a role. The Blue Jays ultimately decided to keep Colabello, and Anthopoulos thinks Valencia will be claimed on Monday. The GM suggests the Jays aren’t done tweaking their roster, so they could make a minor move or two to improve it, perhaps adding an outfielder.
- The Red Sox were relatively quiet at the deadline, but they expect to look quite different by April, Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston writes. “I think it’s incumbent upon us to make real improvement between now and Opening Day,” says GM Ben Cherington. “We didn’t feel like it had to be this week. And so we went into it with the mindset, we’re going to pursue things we think fall in line with ways we need to improve between now and Opening Day.” Cherington notes that it’s still possible the Red Sox could make deals in August. Potential trade candidates include Mike Napoli and Alejandro De Aza.
- The Mets repeatedly refused to trade pitching prospect Michael Fulmer, and were able to acquire Yoenis Cespedes from the Tigers only when they finally relented, Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press writes. To Tigers exec Dave Dombrowski, Fulmer was the key to the deal (which also included another solid pitching prospect, Luis Cessa). “We consider Fulmer a premium-type guy,” Dombrowski says.
Between Valencia / Colabello someone had to go.
My hypothesis: Gibbons has a man-crush on Colabello so he pushes to keep Cola. So Valencia has to go.
Why this move is really bad: Cola has minor league options
They didn’t need to lose out Valencia in the process…
There’s more as to why this move is bad, but it gets into a compounding argument that’s quite lengthy and entirely not appropriate in the comments section.
I was shocked someone like Loup didn’t get optioned back to the minors, he’s been so bad and they don’t need to carry this many bullpen arms.
Valencia is hitting so well… and also can provide infield depth. This doesn’t make much sense. Plus he seems like an awesome clubhouse guy. Sucks…
Did not realize the Jays were loaded with so many former Twins (Cola, Revere and Valencia along with Dickey, Hendriks and Hawkins). As much as I am cheering for Cola, they may regret keeping him over Valencia. He appears to be doing the same trick he did with the Twins last year, which is start blazing hot and fade as the season goes on. His BA from May-July, .368, .300, .224 though his OPS was still a somewhat respectable .714 in July.
The cards gave up kamisky for moss but id rather have valencia. Hope the cards put in a claim. May not be around long enough for the cards to claim him.
Maybe the mariners could pick him up?
The best RS moves would be getting rid of both Cherington and Farrell before the end of the season.
I tried to find the last time Boston finished last two years in a row. Please don’t tell me it was in 1930? If so, Cherington should be ashamed of what he’s “created” and step down. Farrell is a good pitching coach but he’s not a team leader.
Maybe the O’s can bring him back lol
Sox could use a platoon partner for their $95 3B investment.
Colabello should’ve been the one DFA’d. Hes been terrible since his hitting streak ended and Valencias way more versatile