JAY DEAL WITH NATIONALS

Blue Jays receive: Drew Storen

Nationals receive: Ben Revere, PTBNL

Storen is out of the Nationals bullpen where he imploded late last season after the club added Jonathan Papelbon in a deal messing up the backend of the rotation. Storen saved 43 games back in 2011 before falling out of the 9th inning from 2012-14 (he totaled 18 saves). Last season he racked up 29 before being demoted due to the acquisition of Papelbon while seeing a return of the strikeout ball as he struck out 67 in 55 innings leading to his best K/9 ever at 10.96). Over his last 111.1 innings he posted a 2.26 ERA and 1.04 WHIP while augmenting those numbers with a 4.19 K/BB ratio. Drew’s a solidly skilled hurler. Will he close in Toronto? We simply don’t know. Roberto Osuna did an excellent job last season as a 29 year old saving 20 games with more than a strikeout per inning with a 0.92 WHIP. Osuna could close, setup or even start. "It was an opportunity to add to our pitching depth," GM Ross Atkins said. "It creates flexibility in the bullpen and further continues to give us options to be creative with our starters as well." Thanks for the clarity.

*NOTE: Shawn Kelley likely moves into the setup role in Washington behind Jonathan Papelbon.

Revere will replace Denard Span who signed with the Giants (see the 2016 Free Agent Tracker). Revere, a better option than Billy Hamilton (I mean, how could he not be), has hit .305, .306 and .306 the past three seasons. He’s also stolen at least 30 bases four of five seasons. He has no power. He doesn’t drive in runs. But a .300 hitter who steals 30 bases, how many of those are there around? No reason to think he can’t replicated the numbers he posted last season (.306-2-45-84-31).

Aaron Sanchez might transition into the starting rotation with the addition of Storen to the bullpen. If Sanchez starts that could lead to the dealing away of R.A. Dickey to open up a roster spot. A 2010 first round draft selection with tons of talent, Sanchez posted solid ratios last season over 92.1 innings (3.22 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). However, he struck out less than six batters per nine while walking 4.29 per nine. Talent - yes. Grounders - yes (61.8 percent for his career). Role and performance - up in the air.

Michael Saunders and Dalton Pompey will likely battle for playing time in left field in camp. Here’s how it will could break down. (1) Saunders, who appeared in just nine games last season after a gazillion issues with his knee, could play a lot against righties. His slash line against them is rather poor (.232/.310/.391), but he does have 36 homers and 47 steals over 1,175 at-bats. He has the talent, or at least did prior to all his injuries, to be a 20/20 performer. A 10/10 season at this point would be a victory. (2) Pompey has just 51 games of big league experience and will start the year at 23 years of age. He hit .285 with 16 thefts and 44 runs scored with a .372 OBP at Triple-A last season in 65 games. The switch hitter could be on the short side of a platoon facing mostly lefties.

Devon Travis (shoulder) is on pace to return to baseball activities in April. If he isn’t ready by then, Ryan Goins is going to handle the work at second until the time that Travis can return. Travis hit .304 with a .859 OPS last season in just 62 games played in a rather impressive rookie season. Goins is a nice cheap add in AL-only leagues. Neither, as of now, is worth rostering in mixed league drafts unless you throw a dart at Travis in the reserve rounds.

 

ODDS AND ENDS

Chris Davis is still searching for a home. Sounds like the Orioles remain the most likely destination.

Sonny Gray is 26 years old and coming off a 208 inning season of a 2.73 ERA and 1.08 WHIP. He isn’t eligible for free agency until the 2020 season. Everyone is calling hoping to add him in a deal. The Athletics say they won’t deal. They’ve said that before and dealt said player many times.

Jonathan Lucroy could be dealt. Owned just $4 million next season and coming off a down season, he would seem like a prime buy low candidate in the real world. Ditto in the fantasy game. Just a year removed from a .301-13-69-73 season with a .373 OBP and .837 SLG, the not yet 30 year old can rake.

Marcell Ozuna can be a 30/30 performer, at least that’s what Marlins’ manager Don Mattingly thinks. Ditto Marlins’ hitting coach Barry Bonds. They don’t want him dealt though it sounds like the front office doesn’t agree and continues to shop him. Ozuna hit 23 homers in 153 games in 2014 before regressing to 10 big flies over 123 games last season. Could he hit 30 homers? With an 11.4 HR/F ratio and a 32.4 percent fly ball mark through 346 games that seems unlikely. As for the steals… he might have the speed to swipe 20 but at this point he’s averaging a steal every 34.6 games. Potential yes, but don’t expect those 30/30 dreams to be realized in 2016.

 

Ray Flowers can be heard Monday through Thursday at 8 PM EDT and Friday at 10 PM EDT on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio (Sirius 210, XM 87). You can also hear Ray Sunday nights at 7 PM on the channel talking fantasy sports. Follow Ray’s work at Fantasy Alarm and on Twitter (@baseballguys).