Taijuan Walker returned to the Mariners on the guarantee that he d get a possibility to be a starter and rejuvenate his track record following 18 months of healing from Tommy John surgical treatment. The Mariners signed Walker with the goal of getting quality innings from a still-young gamer who could be a function model for their other young pitchers, an example to flex their gamer development muscle, and possibly a trade piece at the deadline. Today, as the Mariners traded Walker to the Toronto Blue Jays for a Player To Be Named Later, it seems as though all of those objectives have actually been achieved to some degree. Ken Rosenthal broke the news:
asked what the return would be for Walker, Dipoto could not recognize the player, as he is not currently on the active roster.
So, PTBNL– Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) August 27, 2020.
The Mariners signed Walker with the objective of getting quality innings from a still-young gamer who might be a role model for their other young pitchers, an example to bend their player development muscle, and possibly a trade piece at the deadline. Today, as the Mariners traded Walker to the Toronto Blue Jays for a Player To Be Named Later, it seems as though all of those objectives have actually been attained to some degree. With the Mariners players striking for Tuesdays video game and the Padres agreeing to postpone, it appears the Blue Jays took the possibility to get a well-rested Walker and likely slot him into their broken-down rotation.
#Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto validates Taijuan Walker trade to Toronto on @ 710ESPNSeattle.
” Its true … we have actually negotiated that sent him to Toronto … he might not have been better in the very first half of a shortened season … desire him absolutely nothing however the very best.”– Jessamyn McIntyre (@JessamynMcIntyr) August 27, 2020.
Walker was the talk of the trade due date for the previous couple weeks, as an affordable rental whose things looked appropriately revitalized, with hints of even much better command and mechanical consistency. It was all however ensured Walker would be dealt, though there was some question as to whether it would come in the past or after his last set up start prior to Mondays deadline, which would have been yesterday in San Diego. With the Mariners players striking for Tuesdays game and the Padres agreeing to postpone, it appears the Blue Jays took the chance to acquire a well-rested Walker and likely slot him into their ramshackle rotation.
If Seattle wants more detailed, less toolsy skill, INFs Kevin Vicuña or Otto Lopez might make sense. If Seattle wants to look for pitchers rather, they might follow their recent mold in 2020 draftee RHP Nick Frasso or RHP Kendall Williams. Frasso is a lanky 6 5 21 year old who was Torontos 4th round choice this year, whose projectability and control fit a lot of what Seattle has actually targeted, with low-90s stuff that might jump with strength.
The Blue Jays have actually acquired Taijuan Walker from the Mariners, source tells The Athletic.– Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 27, 2020
Groups are not allowed to trade gamers who arent in their 60 player swimming pools throughout the 2020 season, nevertheless a number of teams have already circumvented the spirit of this guideline by making offers for PTBNLs, which enables the clubs to not formally deal a specific player, regardless of having actually outlined either one or a list of a few acceptable players to be picked from once rules enable. Numerous of their most appealing gamers are on the extremes of their system, either currently in MLB or in the 60 player swimming pool, or having actually scarcely played above novice ball or low-A.
Numerous of their most interesting players are on the extremes of their system, either already in MLB or in the 60 player pool, or having actually hardly played above novice ball or low-A. Martinez is among Torontos leading prospects, with a finalizing perk greater than Walkers pre-proration salary for 2020, so he is likely beyond Seattles prospective return, but players like de Castro and Hiraldo are more plausible gets. All three are most likely 4-5 years from MLB and will not have played for their club this year, making determining how players are valued is even more hard than ever.
The return for Seattle is a mystery, though we have a few hints. Groups are not enabled to trade gamers who arent in their 60 gamer swimming pools during the 2020 season, however numerous teams have currently prevented the spirit of this guideline by making deals for PTBNLs, which permits the clubs to not officially deal a particular player, in spite of having actually described either one or a list of a couple of appropriate gamers to be picked from once rules permit. While the main deal is noted as “Walker for PTBNL or money”, its motivating to see Jerry Dipoto and other press reporters explaining it with an intent to be a gamer.
Toronto is a purchaser developed by the broadened 2020 playoff format, sitting at 15-14, 4.5 video games back of the juggernauts atop their division (the Rays, undoubtedly), 3.0 video games behind Cleveland and the ChiSox, who are connected for the first Wild Card, and tracking the Yankees by 2.0 games for the 2nd spot in the AL East. With the top 2 clubs in each department making it, the AL Central race is mostly 3 clubs (Twins included) jockeying for seeding, leaving the 2nd Wild Card spot Torontos to lose. Their closest threats are Baltimore and Detroit, both looking sparky but still clearly flawed. Walker doesnt make them a title competitor, but if he locks them in to a playoff spot, assisting energize their rebuild, and making their ownership a bigger slice of the sweet nectar that is playoff television revenue, its an understandable buy deal for the Bluebirds.
We wont understand the PTBNL until after the season, most likely November 1, and the series of return could be surprisingly interesting or underwhelming. We are, as weve heard a lot of times, in extraordinary times. The corresponding lineup relocations are noted below, with RHP Zac Grotz approximately fill the bullpen as Ljay Newsome slides into the rotation for his very first profession start, José Marmolejos approximately extend the bench, and Carl Edwards Jr. and Taylor Guilbeau seeing their seasons functionally end. The Ms 40-man lineup now sits at 37.
