Saturday, November 17, 2018

Hot Stove Update: Blue Jays Trade Aledmys Diaz to the Astros for MLB Ready SP

There was a brief flare of the Hot Stove today as the Blue Jays traded IF Aledmys Diaz to the Astros for SP prospect, Trent Thornton.  Diaz was acquired last offseason by the Blue Jays but was expendable despite putting up good numbers and having multiple season of control on his contract.  The Astros were looking for depth and versatility to replace Marwin Gonzalez who is in free agency.

Aledmys Diaz, IF, 28 yo:  MLB- .263/.303/.453, 18 HR, 5.1 BB%, 13.7 K%, 452 PA.  fWAR= 1.6.  Diaz played SS and 3B last year and played a few innings at 2B and LF in 2017 for the Cardinals.  He's clearly a contact hitter whose main offensive value is in his ability to pop a few HR's.  I would be concerned about him moving out of the hitter-friendly AL East.  He has 4 years of team control left.

Trent Thornton, RHP, 25 yo:  AAA- 9-8, 4.42, 124.1 IP, 8.83 K/9, 2.24 BB/9.  Smallish size for an SP at 6'0", 175 lbs.  Solid numbers in the hitter-friendly PCL.  Modest groundball tendency.  Decent HR/FB.  Has a shot at a rotation or long relief slot out of spring training.  6 years of team control.

Conclusion:  I like this deal for the BJ's.  They have a surplus of infielders and don't need Diaz.  They deal him for a MLB ready SP with a decent chance of making the jump.

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