Blue Jays acquire Marco Scutaro

[riverside sluggers]

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Blue Jays acquired infielder Marco Scutaro from the Athletics RHP Graham Godfrey and RHP Kristian Bell.

 

It looks like the A's are already trying to cut costs. Scutaro was likely to make $2 million-$2.5 million next year, and that was too much for a utilityman, even one who has been as valuable as Scutaro the last few years. Scutaro has received at least 300 at-bats in four straight seasons and posted an OPS in the 690-750 range each time. Compare that to John McDonald, who has a career 595 OPS. The Jays will still go with McDonald as their primary shortstop initially, but Scutaro could win some time there as the year goes on. He's also a better option as a backup at second base and third base than what the Jays had last season.

 

Athletics acquired RHP Graham Godfrey and RHP Kristian Bell from the Blue Jays for infielder Marco Scutaro.

 

The A's wanted to go cheaper with their next utilityman and found a match with frequent trading partner J.P. Ricciardi. In this case, we think Ricciardi got the better of the deal. Godfrey was fairly well regarded entering last season, but he gave up 132 hits while striking out just 74 in 110 2/3 IP for low Single-A Lansing. He has pretty good command of a low-90s fastball, but he lacks a changeup to keep left-handers off balance. Bell, 23, had a 5.33 ERA in 11 starts and 11 relief appearances for Single-A Dunedin. Like Godfrey, he generates more grounders than most. Still, there isn't much else to like about him.

 

Little Marco Scutaro now has more chances to get his big hits off of the Yankees. This past season I believe he had a walkoff homerun against Mariano