This isn’t Toronto making a run at ‘it’. They need starting. If they were making a run at the playoffs they’d be picking up Wandy Rodriguez from the Astros. This is just Toronto filling some immediate needs. A lot of injuries and Cordero sucking ass meant they needed pitching.

You so eloquent when U mad, bro. You’re mom’s a classy lady.

Dallas Keuchel & Cordero will replace Happ & Lyon, and Francisco may actually be an short-term upgrade in the outfield (where Brian Bixler has been starting lately)…..but there is no doubt that Luhnow wants at least one more #1 overall draft pick. As many people have pointed out, the old Astros way of trying to improve a mediocre big league roster, finishing with 70-80 wins and drafting 8th to 15th won’t get it done; the Washington method of blatantly sucking and grabbing #1 picks is the preferred path, although the Astros will never to lucky enough to grab a Strasbourg and a Harper back-to-back…..

The Jays had been interested in both Happ and Gose when they traded Halladay to Philadelphia. Happ had pitched well in Philadelphia. Now both Happ and Gose are on the Jays major league roster.

As far as Villar is concerned, he is Houston’s top short stop prospect and was in the news last week when he broke his hand punching a wall.

1. On prorated basis, the Astros knock off about 2 MM$ in payroll. This may reflect saving some money back since the Marlins didn’t take any payroll for Lee.
2. Lyon has been a disappointment, Happ is arb-eligible in 2013 and has been inconsistent at absolute best. He gets his K’s, but gives up a ton of hits. Carpenter is just an average prospect.
3. Astros are absolutely desperate for an outfielder who can hit his weight.
4. Maybe those minor leaguers will just strengthen Oklahoma City a bit. The Astros’ minor leagues still are very thin.

Not much to cheer here. Rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Over the last 3 drafts, the Jays have been loading up on young pitchers, knowing that not all will pan out and others could be used as trade bait. Wojciechowski was the 38th player chosen in the 2010 draft. When he was drafted, it was thought that eventually, he might become a closer. The best pitchers chosen by the Jays in that 2010 draft were Sanchez, Snydergaard and Nicolino. The first 2 are untouchable. Former Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen thinks that Sanchez and Snydergaard could develop into another Halladay and Carpenter combination. Musgrove was the 46th player drafted in 2011 and Rollins went 739. The best 2 pitchers drafted by the Jays in 2011 were Norris and Stilson. Perez is a young catcher in Single A, but is well behind other catching prospects.

So yes the Jays gave up a lot of prospects, but none of their best prospects. 2 or 3 of the prospects they traded might even play in the majors some day.

To replace Francisco on the roster, the Jays called up Travis Snider. Snider has been hot lately, and could replace Rajai Davis in the outfield.

And goodness knows, every team should have as many Franciscos as possible. Is Francisco Franco still dead?

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#BREAKING #Rockies trade Jeremy Guthrie to the #Royals for Jonathan Sanchez.