Here’s some things that happened. The Blue Jays got a swingman in return for a swingman:

#bluejays getting Mike Bolsinger for Jesse Chavez from #Dodgers

— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 1, 2016

And then minutes later, they gave up a Chavez to get another Chavez:

Source: Astros are getting Guadalupe Chavez from the Blue Jays for Scott Feldman.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 1, 2016

The “other” Chavez, in this instance, being Scott Feldman, an early-30’s swingman himself. Both are free agents at the end of the year. It doesn’t make total sense, and it’s not the most interesting thing that happened at the trade deadline, but bear with me.

The Dodgers wanted a little depth. Chavez gives them that. He’s had a bit of a down year since coming to Toronto in exchange for Liam Hendriks, but the strikeouts and there, and the walks are there, and the grounders are there, and he can start in a pinch. Lord knows the Dodgers have been in a pinch or two when it comes to their rotation. The homers are a problem, but you’d rather the homers be the problem than the rest of the stuff. The results haven’t been great, but Chavez appears far from broken.

Bolsinger’s a flier. He’s 28, and was a non-prospect who wasn’t on anyone’s radar until he almost threw that perfect game last year. Like Chavez, it’s mostly the homers that’ve been a problem this year, though the raw stuff’s not as good, and he’ll be out of options at year’s end.

I guess the interesting part of all this is the Blue Jays paying a small prospect premium in Guadalupe (!) Chavez, an 18-year-old Mexican pitcher with an interesting changeup and a projectable frame, to turn Jesse Chavez into Scott Feldman. Feldman, essentially, is Jesse Chavez who’s actually limited runs this year. I guess he’s better. The Blue Jays were looking to add a starter at the deadline, but it doesn’t look like they’ll be doing that, so instead they chnaged their emergency starter from Chavez to Feldman.

Feldman has a 2.90 ERA out of Houston’s bullpen this year, despite throwing 89 and not striking anyone out. Here’s how:

Lowest exit velocity allowed, min. 150 balls in play

1. Scott Feldman, 85.3 miles per hour
2. Tyler Anderson, 85.3
3. CC Sabathia, 85.9
4. Scott Kazmir, 86.2
5. Kenta Maeda, 86.8

Feldman’s got a recent history of peripheral-beating, and that’s why. Maybe the Blue Jays just have a thing for contact managers.

So that’s that. The Blue Jays probably upgraded in the most boring possible way, going from swingman Chavez to swingman Feldman. The Dodgers got a little depth for a piece who’s time in the system was just about over. The Astros get a young arm who could be interesting. Biggest trade of the year, probably.