Blue Jays fans: Would you have dealt Brett Lawrie for Michael Pineda?
According to the Toronto Globe and Mail via Score Media, Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos, who had expressed interest in the young pitcher, refused the Mariners’ demand for the 22-year-old third baseman as compensation, thereby paving the way for Pineda to go instead to the Bronx in exchange for catcher/designated hitter Jesus Montero.
In his first 43 big league games and 171 plate appearances, Lawrie hit nine home runs and posted an amazing .413 wOBA and 2.7 fWAR.
In addition to lauding the organization for holding onto Lawrie, Dustin Parkes of the Score is impressed with how other clubs view him:
What’s perhaps most remarkable is that over one season, Lawrie’s trade value was raised from being worth a number two or three starter with two years of team control (Shaun Marcum) to a potential top of the rotation stud with five more years of team control.
More here.