9:20pm: The Nationals and Blue Jays are nearing a deal that would send Revere to D.C. in exchange for Storen, Heyman reports on Twitter.
9:13pm: Washington’s interest is “very strong,” Heyman tweets, who says it is indeed “possible” that Storen could be a key piece in a trade scenario. The Jays are looking to add to their relief corps in a deal involving Revere, per the report.
8:57pm: The Nationals are at least considering making a play for Blue Jays outfielder Ben Revere, Jon Heyman reports on Twitter. Washington has long been said to be seeking a center-field-capable outfielder, especially one that swings from the left side.
Obviously, Washington just saw precisely such a player — incumbent starter Denard Span — leave by way of free agency. It never seemed there was much of a chance of a reunion, particularly after the Nats decided not to make him a qualifying offer.
Revere, 27, is projected by MLBTR to earn a healthy $6.7MM through arbitration this year and can be controlled for another season thereafter through the arb system. He’s coming off of his best overall season at the plate as a big leaguer, having posted a .306/.342/.377 slash over 634 plate appearances split between the Phillies and Blue Jays. Revere rarely strikes out, but also doesn’t walk much at all, making him highly dependent on sustaining a high batting average — which he’s done by making loads of solid-enough contact and then turning on the jets.
Of course, Revere’s biggest assets are his legs. Not only has he swiped eighty bags over the past two years, he’s also been second in all of baseball in total value on the basepaths in that span. Curiously, though, he’s seen his defensive valuations plummet despite his obvious athleticism. Revere rated as a well-above-average outfielder during his last two years with the Twins, but has ranged between below average and rather awful over his three most recent campaigns. Poor routes have often been cited as an explanation, though it remains curious that Revere was able to draw high marks from metrics previously.
Obviously, any effort to add Revere would require the Nats to dangle something appealing to the Blue Jays. Toronto certainly seems to be in a position to ship him out, as the team could rely upon players such as Kevin Pillar, Michael Saunders, and Dalton Pompey to occupy center and left. But sacrificing that depth, after having given value to get Revere last July, would surely come at a price.
One concept that I’ve seen floated as a hypothetical possibility would be to structure a swap around Nationals reliever Drew Storen. He’s projected to take home $8.8MM via arbitration before hitting the open market after the season, and Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post tweeted today that he’s still very much available.
There are certainly other ways to imagine a deal coming together, depending on the respective motivations of each team to move these not-inexpensive pieces, but the pen is one area that the Jays could stand to upgrade. And the concept of exchanging players with roughly similar salaries often holds appeal. (Consider, for instance, the recent Jon Niese–Neil Walker swap or the Nationals’ own deal last year sending Tyler Clippard for Yunel Escobar.)
Not worth it! One player with one year of control for a player who still has two years of control left. Besides, Revere looks better at the top of the starting lineup!
The Jays need to keep Revere. He provides speed and the Jays don’t have a ton of that. He is a good field left fielder and gets on base for the sluggers behind him. Saunders is unreliable. He is always injured. He’s played 87 games total in the past 2 seasons. I like Pompey, but his offense isn’t quite good enough yet. Storen for Revere isn’t a good trade. What Storen are you going to get? The good or the bad? I’d rather keep Revere & just go sign Clippard or Bastardo.
If the Jays had enough money left, I’m sure they would’ve signed a reliever by now. This has been going on all offseason and shouldn’t be news to anyone (except apparently to Jays fans) that the Jays don’t have a lot of cap room. I think at the beginning of the offseason they had like $40-$45 million to use on arbitration guys and “restock” the pen and rotation. They spent I think about $28-$30 of that on Estrada and Happ (which was an overpay, but a necessary one since they wouldn’t be able to afford a higher priced starter). That doesn’t leave them with enough room to settle their arbitration cases and go out and sign a quality bullpen pitcher. Plus its better for them to try to preserve future cap space if they want to resign Donaldson/Bautista/EE.
Storen would be a nice addition to the pen but Revere is too valuable as a lead off man.
Travis can take that role over upon his return.
I wonder what the Jays would need to send with Revere to land Gio
I don’t see this happening.
I like Storen but I wouldnt move Revere for him alone. Im wondering if a deal such as Revere + Hutchison + Pentecost + a low level prospect could grab Strasburg + Storen? Revere has some control left, and pentecost was a first round pick with high upside. Hutch is still young and could be very good in the NL. Strasburgs on the last year of his contract, and Storen is an expensive,solid pen arm.
Strasburg and storen are worth more then that I think, especially with what returns we’ve seen already this year so far in trades just my opinion
Did you honestly just suggest Revere, Hutchison, Pentecost, and a low level prospect for Storen AND Strasburg? I’m sorry, that’s a ridiculous suggestion. Not even close.
strasburg has 1 year left on his contract? Hutch is still a young high upside arm, jus struggled last year
Maybe Ben for Gio
Would you want Gio with three years left on his deal, and declining skills? I would not do that trade
If the jays can get storen and a starter out of this deal, it could be a huge boost for them.
They don’t really need a conventional leadoff man with their lineup and it may finally be time to give pompey a real shot.
Good trade Rizzo! Storen is a fantastic pitcher, but needed a change of scenery badly. Meanwhile, Revere replaces Span and fills a lot of needs.
I’d prefer gio to storen
Not sure either deal works straight up
Storen has a tendency to fall on his face. He may improve with a change of scene but I like Ben leading off. Having said that we need bull pen help Badly!
I’d prefer the Jays get off their wallet and finish what AA started… we need help in pen for sure but is Storen the answer…
With Yankees only having to play 6 inn going to be tough to take the division with our horrible bully… Jays need a Closer and use Osuna as the stopper. Of course without a manager it is all moot. Can you say bunt?
Wow I hate Mark Shapiro
because he made a good trade and it wasnt aa that did it?