Toronto Blue Jays trade SS Alex Gonzalez, two minor leaguers to Atlanta Braves and acquire SS Yunel Escobar and RHP Jo-Jo Reyes

Just got this news now: The Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves have agreed on a trade that will send shortstop Alex Gonzalez and prospects left handed pitcher Tim Collins and shortstop Tyler Pastornicky to the Atlanta Braves in return for shortstop Yunel Escobar and right handed pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes.

This is a huge trade and it was really surprising to hear this. Escobar, the Braves' second round pick in the 2005 draft, was coming off of a fantastic 2009 season in which he hit .299 with 14 home runs and 76 RBIs, and it had looked as though he was placing himself in the conversation of best shortstop in the National League East. Escobar, 28, has had a disappointing 2010 season so far. He's hitting just .238 with 19 RBIs and hasn't hit a home run yet this year. He's played lackluster defense and has looked nonchalant at times on the field. MLB.com's Mark Bowman said last month that "there's no doubt that Escobar's flamboyant approach to the game has continued to infuriate some members of the Braves organization." The Cuban defector will now take over duties at shortstop everyday for the Blue Jays. I think Escobar just needed a change of scenery, and I hope he can resurrect his career in Toronto. He is under Blue Jays control through the 2013 season. A great pick up by the Blue Jays.

The Jays will also acquire once top prospect RHP Jo-Jo Reyes. Reyes, a second round draft pick in the 2003 draft, was not able to live up to the hype that had. In the major leagues, Reyes has a carer 5-15 record with a 6.40 ERA, including going 3-11 with a 5.81 ERA his first full season in 2008. Since the '08 season, Reyes, 25, has spent time between the minor leagues and the majors. His inconsistency has resulted in the lack of faith that the Braves organization had in him. This is another great pickup for the Blue Jays. Reyes still has some potential left and is still young enough to be a difference maker. With a rebuilding Blue Jays franchise Reyes could either be moved to the bullpen or be inserted into the rotation.

The Atlanta Braves will acquire ex-Marlins shortstop Alex Gonzalez to replace Escobar. Gonzalez, 33, is having the best season of his career so far, hitting .259 with 17 home runs and 50 RBIs through 85 games this season. The 17 home runs are a career high through 85 games, as 23 home runs are the most Gonzalez has hit in a full season, that which came in 2004. Gonzalez is a great defensive player who plays his heart out of his team. Trading for Gonzalez was a great pickup for the Braves, especially with the Braves aiming for a playoff push to secure the NL East. This is a breakout year for Gonzalez, but he is no fluke. He's having a better season and plays better defense, and perhaps even cares more, than Escobar and should help improve the Braves' offense to replace the "production" of Escobar. He's certainly an upgrade over Escobar and is a free agent at the end of the season, so there is no long term commitment. Gonzalez is owed just $1.23MM left this year and has a $2.5MM club option for 2011. "This trade improves our club for the second half of the season." said Braves GM Frank Wren.

The Braves also acquire two minor league prospects: Tim Collins, a LHP and shortstop Tyler Pastornicky.

Collins, 20, is a left handed relief pitcher who owns a 1-0 record with a 2.51 ERA in 35 games for Double-AA Dunedin. He was ranked 19th among Blue Jays prospects by Baseball America. Collins' scouting report says that he "gets outs with a solid fastball that tops out at 93 mph and a true 12-to-6 curveball that he spins really well." He's a strikeout pitcher, fanning 73 (!!!) in 43.0 innings pitched this season while only giving up 16 walks. That's just a ridiculous 15.3 K/9. Although he is a great relief pitcher, Collins could be transitioned into a starting role with the Braves, due to his high strikeout total and low earned run average. In the minors, Collins' owns a career 14-9 record with a 2.40 ERA with 294 strikeouts in 194.2 innings pitched (!!!). He's only 5'7 but has a Tim Lincecum (who's 5'11) aura around him. The Braves are getting a great, young, left handed (!) pitching prospect who could be part of their bullpen or rotation for years to come. I'm surprised Toronto gave up on this young man.


Pastornicky, 20, was the Blue Jays 5th round draft pick in the 2008 draft. A shortstop, Pastornicky hits for a low average, usually in the .250-.260 range and isn't projected to have a great amount of power. He hit just one home run per season in the minors for A and A+ ball before showing some power this year, with 6 home runs so far in A+ ball. He's currently hitting .258 with 6 home runs and 35 RBIs for A+. He made 28 errors at shortstop in 2009, but this year has refined his defense making just 10 errors while playing both shortstop and second base through 77 games. Pastornicky has been scouted and is said to be a top of the lineup hitter who will play solid defense. Baseball America says that he "doesn't have flashy tools but gets the most out of what he has." He's another good pick up for the Braves. It doesn't hurt to have another young shortstop in the system.


Overall this is a good trade for both sides. The Blue Jays get a substantial shortstop in Escobar, who is still young and can hold the position until Adeiny Hechavarria, the Blue Jays' top shortstop prospect, is ready for the big leagues. Escobar still also has a ton of star potential left. As well, they get another major league ready arm for their bullpen/rotation in Reyes, who still has a ton of potential in his right arm. The Braves got the best part of this deal, acquiring one of the top offensive shortstops in the league right now in Gonzalez, who should help them to make the playoffs. As well, they win in this trade because they got the two young prospects. Obviously, Collins is the guy I like in this deal. I love prospects, and Collins looks like he has a lot of potential and I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the majors next season.

Both sides won this deal.