Morrow to Blue Jays for Brandon League
December 21, 2009 by Alex Geshwind
According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, the Blue Jays have traded reliever Brandon League to the Seattle Mariners for Brandon Morrow. One other prospect was involved in the deal, and Brett Wallace’s name has been floated around as a possibility.
If Wallace is in the deal, this is tremendous for Seattle. The Mariners, as currently constructed, lack the patience and power needed to score runs. Wallace gives them that. The first rounder in 2008 hit .293/.367/.495 at AA and AAA last season, really turning it on after the A’s acquired him from St. Louis. With Sacramento, Wallace hit .302/.365/.505 with 9 homers in just 182 at bats.
While Brandon Morrow has the potential to become a top-end starting pitcher, we haven’t seen much yet, with his greatest success coming in 2008, out of the bullpen. If he becomes a front line starter, than obviously that is a great deal to be giving up. If he ends up in the bullpen… well, I prefer Brandon League anyway.
League, 26, had a 4.58 ERA last season, but he has the skill set to close. A hard throwing righty, League sits around 94-96 MPH with his fastball, and has no trouble missing bats. He also demonstrated good control last season, and a fantastic 3.62 K/BB rate. Additionally, homeruns should not be a problem, as League keeps the ball on the ground almost 60% of the time. His xFIP in 2009 was 3.16, and as I mentioned in my AL East bullpen preview, League was arguably the best pitcher in Toronto’s bullpen. He wasn’t likely to get a shot there, but with David Aardsma’s control and extreme flyball tendencies, he’s a disaster waiting to happen. It’s very possible League ends up closing in 2010 and beyond.
At this point, we really don’t know who the prospect is though. We’ll see. Assuming it’s a solid MLB caliber prospect though, I think the M’s pulled of a good trade here. I’m a huge fan of League.
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Wallace will absoloutely not be in this deal… Anthopolous loves him. It will be David Cooper
Wallace part of the deal just a rumor at this point. Cooper certainly not bad either, although he struggled a bit last year. Not near Wallace’s level at the moment. I really like League though.
dream on………..youre not getting wallace
id love to know who this “many” is saying its wallace…….pure fantasy
League has some ridiculously filthy stuff when he is on, I’ll be sad to see him go but looking forward to seeing Morrow in a Jays uni! Just 100% no chance Alex A moves Wallace, he’s been trying to get him since 2005.
Just some speculation on Wallace. Probably worded it wrong, but it’s just a name floating out there and although it’s probably a bit too much, it would make sense in a way.
We’ll have to see. Although I’m certainly not a Mariners fan.
if wallace is the prospect i will personally mail a 10 grand cheque to the author of this silly little post
Fair enough, but whomever floated Wallace’s name out there clearly does not pay attention to the Blue Jays… Anthopolous has been wearing his O-face for a week since getting this kid.
many people in toronto are suggesting that the m’s are sending ichiro and lee tom the jays for wallace