Archive for jason donald

Reflecting on the Cliff Lee Trade

by
October 14, 2009

At mid-season, Philadelphia was making a well-publicized push for Toronto Blue Jays ace Roy Halladay, a free agent after the 2010 season. With then Toronto general manager J.P. Ricciardi wanting the moon and then some, the Phillies organization looked elsewhere for pitching depth. General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. is looking like a very smart man.

Cleveland sent veteran southpaw Cliff Lee to the Phillies for four prospects: right-handed pitchers Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, infielder Jason Donald, as well as catcher Lou Marson. Lee made 22 starts in Cleveland and was good for four wins above replacement (WAR). For Philly, he made 12 regular season starts and was good for a 2.4 WAR. In the playoffs to this point, Lee’s excellent pitching allowed Philadelphia the opportunity to win both of his starts (a 0.70 WPA).

So, how did the prospects end the season in the Cleveland organization? For Philly’s Triple-A squad, Carrasco – the highest-rated prospect in the trade – had a 2.92 FIP in 114.2 innings. In Cleveland’s system, he posted a 4.01 FIP in 42.1 innings, while allowing 31 hits and posting a walk rate of 2.98 BB/9 and a strikeout rate of 8.79. He made five starts in Cleveland and posted a 7.08 FIP. He had equal walk/strikeout rates at 4.43. Carrasco’s fastball value was well below-average at -5.95 wFB/C despite averaging 92.3 mph.

Marson hit .250/.346/.386 with a .136 ISO in 44 big-league at-bats for Cleveland. He also hit .243/.319/.340 in 103 Triple-A at-bats for the organization. Donald hit .257/.350/.400 but appeared in just 10 games after the trade due to an injury. Knapp also struggled through injuries in his new organization. (He was dealing with shoulder woes before the trade, too) Cleveland, though, could not turn down the opportunity to acquire his blazing fastball and gaudy strikeout numbers in low-A ball (11.03 K/9). Once in the Cleveland organization, Knapp made four starts and pitched just 11.2 innings.

That’s not a whole lot for the 2008 Cy Young award winner. Also keep in mind that Cleveland also tossed in outfielder Ben Francisco, who has some value as a bench player. To be honest, Donald and Marson are likely part-time players at best. Clevaland has better options, especially at catcher. Knapp is a long way away and the injury to his shoulder is worrisome. Carrasco is a pitcher who has never been able to live up to his impressive potential. Lee, on the other hand, has already exceeded expectation.


Trade Deadline Prospects Ranked, Part 3

by
August 5, 2009

At the expiration of the Major League Baseball trading deadline, 35 prospects had changed hands (beginning July 19 with Milwaukee’s acquisition of Felipe Lopez). Over the next week, FanGraphs will take a look at each prospect, while also ranking them individually in value from 35 down to one. Players such as Justin Masterson, Clayton Richard, Kevin Hart, and Jeff Clement were not considered in this list because they have expired their rookie eligibility. However, they can still technically be considered “prospects” because they are young and have yet to establish themselves at the MLB level.

On Monday, we looked at the players ranked 35-29. On Tuesday, we looked at the prospects ranked 28-22.

  • 21. Argenis Diaz, SS
    From Boston to Pittsburgh

    A slick fielder, Diaz does not currently project to hit enough to play every day in the Majors. Prior to the trade, the 22-year-old shortstop was hitting .253/.309/.310 in 277 double-A at-bats. The Pirates organization immediately promoted him to triple-A after the trade but he’s hitting below .200 in his first 10 games. With Brian Friday and Jordy Mercer looking like MLB utility players, the Pirates have no clear cut future regular at shortstop.

  • 20. Jason Donald, SS
    From Philadelphia to Cleveland

    Donald, 24, has followed up his offensive-breakout campaign in 2008 with an injury-filled ’09 season. An average fielder at shortstop, Donald will likely have to move to second base in the Majors, although the hot corner is an option if he develops more power (which is not expected to happen). He hasn’t looked overly sharp since coming back from his injury.

  • 19. Aaron Pribanic
    From Seattle to Pittsburgh

    Pribanic was the Mariners’ 2008 third-round draft pick. The right-hander does not strike out many batters (5.59 K/9 in ’09) but he induces a ton of ground balls (63.5 GB%). He’s also allowed just one home run this season. Pribanic has good bloodlines as his grandfather Jim Coates was an MLB all-star who played parts of nine seasons in the Majors. Pribanic works in the low 90s with his fastball and also has a curveball, slider and splitter.

  • 18. Dexter Carter RHP
    From Chicago AL to San Diego

    Despite leading the league in strikeouts (143 in 118 IP), Carter was left in low-A for the entire season to work on his secondary pitches. The 22-year-old was a 13th-round pick in the 2008 amateur draft by the White Sox. With a good fastball and a 6’6” 195 lbs frame, Carter could develop into a dominating closer if his breaking ball and changeup do not show enough improvements. His numbers are impressive in ’09 but he’s old for the league.

  • 17. Mauricio Robles, LHP
    From Detroit to Seattle

    The key to the Jarrod Washburn trade, Robles had been flying under the radar in a weak Detroit system. The 20-year-old southpaw will face a stiff challenge in High Desert, which is a great hitter’s park. In Detroit’s system prior to the trade, Robles allowed 79 hits in 91.1 innings, along with 111 Ks and 41 walks. Control is an issue for the left-hander, who could also stand to work down in the zone more consistently. His fastball can touch 94 mph when he’s on. Robles also flashes a curveball and a changeup.

  • 16. Connor Graham, RHP
    From Colorado to Cleveland

    Graham, 23, is a hard-throwing, right-handed pitcher who is probably better suited for set-up or closer chores than he is for starting. He has a good slider and a fastball that can touch 95 mph. Prior to the trade, the 6’6” former fifth-round draft pick allowed 68 hits in 80.1 innings of work, along with 41 walks and 87 Ks. The 4.59 BB/9 rate is worrisome but Cleveland immediately promoted Graham to double-A after the trade.

  • 15. Shane Peterson, OF
    From St. Louis to Oakland

    A 2008 second-round pick out of Long Beach State, Peterson has shown the ability to hit .280-.300 but he lacks the power for a corner outfield spot and the range to play center field on a regular basis. The left-handed hitter also has not walked much in 2009. Peterson has the ability to steal 10-15 bases a season, while hitting 10-12 homers. He could develop into a solid regular, but he’ll likely never be a star.

    Check back Thursday for prospects 14 to eight.


    • Halladay Heating Up Again

    by
    July 28, 2009

    According to a report on Yahoo, the Boston Red Sox organization has offered the Toronto Blue Jays a very competitive package for ace starter Roy Halladay. According to the site, Boston offered young starters Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden, as well as 19-year-old outfielder Ryan Westmoreland.

    Frankly, I like that much better than the rumored offer from the Philadelphia Phillies that included young hurler J.A. Happ, starter Carlos Carrasco, infielder Jason Donald, and outfielder Michael Taylor. Frankly, the only player in that deal that does anything for me is Taylor. You have to wonder how the Phillies organization can justify holding back its best prospects for one of the Top 5 pitchers in all of baseball and perhaps the most consistent in the past five years?

    If I were the Jays, I would not do a deal with Philly without double-A pitching prospect Kyle Drabek and high-A outfielder Dominic Brown. The Phillies’ deal is almost insulting: a MLB pitcher currently playing over his ceiling, a pitching prospect who has regressed in the past two seasons, a shortstop who is an average hitter at best and may need to move to second base, as well as Taylor.

    However, even a deal including Drabek and Brown would not appeal to me as much as Boston’s rumored offer of two MLB-ready, young pitchers and a talented (but inexperienced) young outfielder. If the Sox tossed in MLB infielder Jed Lowrie, outfielder Josh Reddick or right-hander Junichi Tazawa, I would probably scream, “Sold!” The organization refuses to trade SS/RHP prospect Casey Kelly and MLB reliever Daniel Bard, and I can respect that; the other players that Boston is offering are much better than those being suggested by Philly.

    Forget about dealing within the division. Toronto needs to get the best deal possible for Halladay, and that could very well come from Boston.