Morrow Traded?
Ken Rosenthal just sent out a twitter message stating that sources have told him that the Mariners have reached a “tentative” agreement to trade Brandon Morrow to Toronto for Brandon League and a prospect.
My first reaction is that there’s information missing here. I can’t see the M’s dealing Morrow for a relief pitcher and a prospect as they gear up to win in 2010. There has to be more to this, unless the “prospect” is someone like Brett Wallace, who could step in and fill the gap at first base.
League, if you’re not aware, throws really hard. His average fastball is 95 MPH, and its not a hit-me four seam fastball, but instead a heavy, diving sinker. He gets a ton of ground balls with it, and finally started getting strikeouts last year as well. He could be an elite relief pitcher if he can keep command of his stuff. But, that’s the rub – he’s a relief pitcher, which inherently limits his value. He’s also arbitration eligible and only under team control for three more years, so he’s a short term asset.
That’s why the prospect is obviously the important factor. League is a nice pitcher, kind of like Mark Lowe with more ground balls, but not the value that you give up Morrow for.
Update: Jordan Bastian, a reliable reporter from Toronto, reports that Johermyn Chavez is the prospect the M’s are getting. Chavez is Toronto’s version of Greg Halman – toolsy RH outfielder with power and terrible plate discipline, hit well repeating low-A ball as a 20-year-old last year. Upside, sure, but a long way from the majors and lots of flaws. If true, this is the first deal Jack has made that I truly dislike. Full analysis when its official.
I just can’t believe that this is the topic that leads to 300+ replies. God speed Mr. Morrow. I hope you have great success as a starter in the AL East. The Mariners just couldn’t take the risk that this year would not be the year it happened.
I looked up various “all Starting pitcher” FIP values on Fangraphs, and listed several potentially available Starters below. The median value seemed to be about 4.75
(I do not know if FIP 4.75 is league average or not. Perhaps someone could clarify for me.)
John Smoltz 3.87
Jason marquis 4.10
Kelvim escobar 4.10
Aaron harang 4.14
Pedro martinez 4.28
Edwin Jackson 4.28
Rich Harden 4.35
John Garland 4.48
Washburn 4.58
Randy Johnson 4.95
1. Is Smoltz FIP for real? I thought he did not perform very well in 2009, but not according to Fangraphs. Perhaps the M’s should go for him.
2. I love the idea of Randy Johnson, but his FIP was THE SAME as Morrow’s.
[Zduriencik]
I overheard this conversation last week between Jack Zduriencik and Blue Jays GM, Alex Anthopoulos.
AA – “You’re getting Cliff Lee for what?!? I’m going to tell Amaro that he’s getting robbed. That trade is ridiculous.”
JZ – “Whoa, let’s not be hasty. Tell you what, I’ll give you Morrow for League if you keep your mouth shut.”
AA – “Well, what Amaro doesn’t know can’t hurt him, I guess. Brandon Morrow, nice”
Ya. I was thinking this trade was just like the Griffey trade too.
[link]
As was previously pointed out, about in the middle of the page:
Sports on a Schtick:
It’s what we do. You can no more stop people from analyzing trades than you can stop the tides.
I think Zduriencik is a great GM who made a bad trade. That’s not a problem, and it’s not the end of the world that many of us are saying so.
When Mike Sweeney kept making the line-up last year, many of us thought Wak was a good manager who was making a bad decision.
I wonder how much Rick Adair was involved in this trade. Apparently League is an old apprentice of his from AA ball.
Let’s. Move. On.
Over. Used. Emphatic. Style.
But. Agreed.
Tide. Can’t. Stop.
I HATE this trade, because it shows me that there is no patience again (like the Lou P days). I do recall R.Johnson having lots of control problems when he started with the M’s, and now I think JackZ would have traded him off too. Congratulations to the Blue Jays as I think you just traded for a future ACE. Brandon M will not only be a good pitcher but has the potential to be a great one, give him time. Thanks alot JackZ, you just struck out with the bases loaded. Now I’m not so sure about next season. Good luck Brandon, I personally will miss you.