Saturday, August 07, 2004

Demoted RHRP Scott Roehl to Mahoning Valley (SSA) from Lake County (A-)

Traded 1B Eric Crozier (AAA) to the Toronto Blue Jays for 1B/C Josh Phelps

Interesting move from the Toronto end. Phelps has massive power potential (think a right-handed Russ Branyan), but cannot hit right-handers to save his life. I don't understand the rush to get him out of town, but I'll certainly take him. This move allows Phelps to platoon with Ben Broussard, and turns lefty-masher Lou Merloni into a super-sub. As for Eric Crozier, this gives the Jays a small insurance policy in case Carlos Delgado leaves via free agency. I think he can be a decent major-league player, and he'll probably get an extended look in Toronto.

Eric Wedge now has a wealth of lineup options to choose from. For example, he could go with this against left-handers:

2B Ronnie Belliard
SS Omar Vizquel
RF Matt Lawton
CA Victor Martinez
DH Travis Hafner
3B Lou Merloni/Casey Blake
1B Josh Phelps
LF Coco Crisp
CF Grady Sizemore

and this against right-handers:

LF Matt Lawton
SS Omar Vizquel
DH Travis Hafner
CA Victor Martinez
1B Ben Broussard
3B Casey Blake
2B Ronnie Belliard
RF Jody Gerut
CF Grady Sizemore

Things get even more interesting when Aaron Boone and Ryan Ludwick come back.

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