Buffalo Boy's Blog

No it wasn't the big Halladay trade, but it was big none the less. The Blue Jays traded away Scott Rolen for Edwin Encarnacion and two minor league pitchers.

I liked Scott Rolen but lets face it, since his arrival in Toronto we all expected more. Yes his defense was stellar, it will always be, but his bat failed him. He figured it out during a short stint on the DL last year when he adjusted his swing to help his ailing shoulders, but even then he has not been the same Rolen that hit for power in St. Louis. He has become a guy who could hit for high average and not much pop.

So for $11 million a year the Jays could afford to let him go.

In return they get Edwin Encarnacion, one look at this years numbers and you scratch your head, but lets look at the over all player....He is a 6'2 231 3rd baseman who is just 26 years old. So in the trade, the Jays get younger and much more upside at third base, something I have though they needed going back to Troy Glaus.

Encarnacion had 26 home runs last year and 68 RBIs in 146 games so this guy has some pop, he just needs a team that will help him develop some consistency....in comes Cito Gaston. Cito is known for taking reclamation projects going back to his last time around in Toronto. Dave Winfield was one, everyone thought Winfield was done but he signed a one year deal with the Jays and sparked a few more years out of his 40+ year old body.

Encarnacion is no where near 40, so he should be a very solid addition who the Jays can reasonably afford to make an extension to after his contract is up after next year.

The Jays also get two young pitchers, Josh Roenicke and Zach Stewart. Roenicke is projected as a future closer, he is 6'3" 194 right hander and should provide some help for a tired bullpen.

Zach Stewart is a promising, young starter who has gone from A ball to AAA just this year.

Say what you want about Riccardi but he got this deal right. He stole this deal especially when you consider Rolen's age and the fact that he is not the hitter he used to be. The Jays get lots of upside and some legitimate help for the bullpen. The value of this trade may not be realized until next year but we will see flashes of it before this year is up. If Gaston and the coaches can get Encarnacion fixed, this trade is a steal and the Jays have themselves a solid third baseman for 5-8 years.