The Blue Jays have acquired right-hander Tom Koehler and cash considerations from the Marlins for minor league righty Osman Gutierrez, according to announcements from both teams. Gutierrez will report to Single-A Greensboro with his new organization.
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Koehler, who’s on a $5.75MM salary and has another year of arbitration eligibility remaining, got off to a poor start this season and began surfacing in trade rumors in May. While Koehler was a competent back-end starter in Miami from 2013-16, a stretch in which he combined for a 4.14 ERA (4.30 FIP) with 6.82 K/9, 3.67 BB/9 and a 44.6 percent ground-ball rate over 698 1/3 innings, the 31-year-old has endured a miserable 2017. Across 12 starts and 55 2/3 frames, Koehler has logged a 7.92 ERA (6.89 FIP), 7.11 K/9, 4.69 BB/9 and a 38.1 percent grounder mark. However, Koehler has dominated in 37 2/3 Triple-A innings this year (1.67 ERA, 13.14 K/9, 3.11 BB/9), which could provide hope for an eventual big league turnaround.
Whether Koehler will immediately head to Toronto or Triple-A Buffalo is unclear. Regardless, he’ll provide some depth to a 59-64 Jays club that’s 3.5 games out of a wild-card spot and currently has a couple question marks in its rotation behind the proven trio of Marco Estrada, Marcus Stroman and J.A. Happ. One of those question marks, Chris Rowley, has gotten good results over a pair of starts, while the long-struggling Nick Tepesch has turned in subpar work over three appearances from the rotation since Toronto acquired him from the Twins in late July.
Gutierrez, 22, was not among the Blue Jays’ top 30 prospects at MLB.com before the trade, though the 2011 international signing from Nicaragua was 26th on Baseball America’s list for the team after last season. BA noted at the time (subscription required and recommended) that Gutierrez features a 94-96 mph fastball that can top out at 97 mph, a “generally above-average” slider and a somewhat promising changeup. Gutierrez hasn’t fared well at the Single-A level this year, though, with a 7.88 ERA, 8.25 K/9 against 6.25 BB/9 and a 38.6 grounder rate through 72 innings.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
I am a marlins fan so I am kind of relieved that he is not on the marlins anymore
cant believe they actually got someone out of koehler
Not sure why unless Buffalo is in need of a starter
Jays are taking a flyer on Koehler as depth piece. He has logged good MLB innings in the past. Guitierrez had a decent rookie ball season but is having trouble at Lansing A ball. Perhaps the Marlins can help him out. He is only 22.
I know they didn’t really give anything up, but deal seems a bit pointless from Toronto’s point of view. Had they waited until the season ended or at the very latest the non-tender deadline, they could have gotten him cheaper from a salary perspective.
I find it hard to believe people were lining up to take on Koehlers salary and give something up for him when he was as close to a sure thing to be cut as one could be.
Good for Miami though for getting something back.
no guarantee they would be the ones to sign him, or that he would be cut in the first place. the jays have precious little in terms of starting depth and Koehler was decent not long ago. considering they gave up a lottery ticket to get him, its hard to dislike this.
Good trade for the blue jays
Uh…ok.
Will compete for a rotation spot for next year and could allow the Blue Jays to deal a starter come August 31st if they concede their chances
Who would they Trade? Estrada has alreasy been pulled back and if put on their again the Claiming Team gets him no matter what? Happ? Sanchez? Stroman?
They should trade everyone but Stroman, Pillar and Osuna. Time for full rebuild. This team will not compete despite team executives saying it will. By not trading the roster for kids, they are delaying the evitable out of contention octobers for many years. Mediocrity, here we come…
Never rebuild around a closer. Osuna would haul in elite prospect(s). The Braves didn’t rebuild around Kimbrel. Nor did the Padres.
Either offer Osuna the opportunity to become a starting pitcher or bask in the glory of prospect return the likes of what Miller and Chapman fetched.
Just take a look at the return Philly got for Giles. At the time two premier pitching prospects. Yet I think now we’d say Houston for the better end so far
Very good trade for the Jays. Koehler is a nice change of scenery bounceback candidate. I think he could be a solid #3 or #4 for the Jays next season.
If Koehler is gonna be your #3 or #4 starter next season, then yikes. Enjoy 5th place again.
Yeah, I agree. Koehler is not the improvement that the Jays need. It’s a sad situation here in Toronto with Atkins manking moves like this.
But you wrote “Jays are taking a flyer on Koehler as depth piece. He has logged good MLB innings in the past.”
Which is it?
Could be both, not either or. If he does well or they can correct things , he is back to what he was, if not, he is better than the starting pitching fodder that they have been running out to the mound from AAA of claims.
Do you understand what the words bounce back mean? Sure if he is the same as this year as a #3 or #4, then you are in trouble. But if he can regain his form from the prior 3 seasons, then that equals a decent #3 or good #4.
He’s overpaid and about to get even more expensive. The Jays can’t afford guys like him to fail.
Would be surprised if they tender him this off-season
What is the point in trading for him if they don’t tender him?
To see if he can improve. If he’s throwing a 6+ era in Toronto he’s not getting paid 7mil next year. The prospect is nothing so it’s really a no risk deal. If he shows you something you have a back end rotation option on a reasonable one year deal. If not, you’re only out a couple hundred thousand bucks this year.
That’s what I was thinking. Koehler is making over 5 million this year so he’d be in line for probably 7 or so next year and I doubt he would’ve commanded that much on the FA market when the marlins non tendered.
Are the Jays in or out right now? This seems like a move a team who’s making a real playoff run makes as a “just in case” situation happens.
He’s had a terrible year, doesn’t fit Shapiro’s value bin model and will cost the team money but bring them no closer to the playoffs. I know they’re struggling for consistent arms, but accept that you’re not getting to the playoffs and run as many young kids out there as possible to see what you have for next year.
The jays running guys out there is like the orioles running guys out there from the minors. There’s nothing interesting down there that is ML ready. It’s going to be more garbage taking the hill. If Koehler doesn’t turn it around the next month you non tender him in the offseason and start over. A pitcher in A ball w a 7 era and bad control is a nothing prospect so it’s alright.