In our final instalment, Leigh Sprague reviews the trades made by current GM J.P. Ricciardi.
Thanks to Leigh for a great week of reading.
Part Five : J.P. Ricciardi -- A New Hope
by Leigh Sprague
December 7, 2001
Toronto trades RP Billy Koch to Oakland for 3B Eric Hinske and SP Justin Miller.
Obtained:
Eric Hinske, two seasons in Toronto
Still with Toronto as of January 16, 2004.
Justin Miller, one season in Toronto
Still with Toronto as of January 16, 2004.
Traded Away:
Billy Koch, one season in Oakland
Traded to Chicago (AL) on December 3, 2002.
Synopsis: this was J.P. Ricciardi's first trade as the Jays' GM, and all he got was a Rookie of the Year. Hinske's defence has been a concern, but he is a hard-worker who should come around. His offence fell off a bit in 2003, but much of that is attributable to a broken hamate bone. Miller was injured in 2003, but could pitch in 2004 should something go awry with one or more of the Jays starters. Koch was decent as the A's closer in 2002, and then was traded to the White Sox for Keith Foulke, Mark Johnson and Joe Valentine. In 2003, Koch imploded for the White Sox, and Foulke was excellent for the A's. Valentine remains a top prospect. Foulke has since signed with the Red Sox, and Valentine was sent to the Reds in the Jose Guillen trade at the 2003 deadline. Guillen was unspectacular as a rent-a-player for the A's, and has since signed with the Angels. Verdict: a good trade, especially going forward.
December 10, 2001
Toronto trades SS Alex Gonzalez to Chicago (NL) for RP Felix Heredia and James Deschaine.
Obtained:
Felix Heredia, one season in Toronto
Signed as a free agent with Cincinnati on January 11, 2003.
James Deschaine has not played in Toronto.
Traded Away:
Alex Gonzalez, two seasons in Chicago
Still with Chicago as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: this was Ricciardi's second installment in his payroll-clearing plan. The Cubs paid Gonzalez a total of $10 million for 2002 and 2003 (combined), certainly more than is warranted by his two-year WARP (Wins Above Replacement Player) total of 9.5. Heredia was a good LOOGY for the Jays in 2002. Verdict: a good trade.
December 13, 2001
Toronto trades RP Paul Quantrill and SS Cesar Izturis to Los Angeles for SP Luke Prokopec and Chad Ricketts.
Obtained:
Luke Prokopec, one season in Toronto
Now playing for Cincinnati.
Chad Ricketts has not played for Toronto.
Traded Away:
Paul Quantrill, two seasons in Los Angeles
Signed as a free agent with New York (AL) on December 3, 2003.
Cesar Izturis, two seasons with Los Angeles
Still with Los Angeles as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: oops. Prokopec did not work out (yet another pitcher with acute gopheritis failing at Skydome). Quantrill was fantastic in the Dodgers' bullpen for two seasons, but the Jays could not have afforded him, at over $6 million total for those two seasons (combined). I was surprised to see that Izturis has had a below average range factor for the past two seasons. That, combined with his career .270 on-base percentage, indicate nothing that should upset Jays' fans with regard to losing him. Verdict: a poor trade.
January 2, 2002
Toronto trades Mike Kremblas to Oakland for C Tom Wilson.
Obtained:
Tom Wilson, two seasons in Toronto
Claimed off waivers by San Diego on January 7, 2004.
Traded Away:
Mike Kremblas has not played in Oakland.
Synopsis: Wilson became a fan favourite as Toronto's backup catcher in 2002 and 2003. Wilson's 2002 and 2003 are very similar, and if the Padres choose to let him play (although that would necessitate an injury to Ramon Hernandez), he should be reasonably productive. Verdict: a good trade.
January 17, 2002
Toronto trades DH Brad Fullmer to Anaheim for SP Brian Cooper.
Obtained:
Brian Cooper, one season in Toronto
Signed as a free agent with Chicago (AL) on January 27, 2003.
Traded Away:
Brad Fullmer, two seasons in Anaheim
Signed as a free agent with Texas on December 10, 2003.
Synopsis: Fullmer's contract was a little rich for Blue Jay owner Ted Rogers' liking, as the designated hitter was slated to make $4 million in 2002. Cooper was somewhat of a bust, but this trade was a salary dump anyhow. Should Mark Teixeira falter or be needed in the outfield, Fullmer - who has had a couple years of great rate stats - could get some time at firstbase for the Rangers in 2004. Verdict: moderately disadvantageous.
May 26, 2002
Toronto trades RP Dan Plesac to Philadelphia for RP Cliff Politte.
Obtained:
Cliff Politte, two seasons in Toronto
Signed as a free agent with Chicago (AL) on January 7, 2004.
Traded Away:
Dan Plesac, two seasons in Philadelphia
Announced retirement on December 11, 2003.
Synopsis: Politte was great in the Jays bullpen in 2002, but fell apart in 2003 when handed the closer role upon Kelvim Escobar's return to the starting rotation. Plesac, who says that Toronto is his favourite city that he played in, gave the Phillies 56.3 innings before retiring. Politte was over $1 million cheaper in 2002 than Plesac, so perhaps that tips the scales. Verdict: a mildly advantageous trade.
July 1, 2002
Toronto trades OF Raul Mondesi to New York (AL) for P Scott Wiggins.
Obtained:
Scott Wiggins, one season in Toronto
Traded Away:
Raul Mondesi, two seasons in New York
Traded to Arizona on July 31, 2003.
Synopsis: regardless of what happens to Scott Wiggins, Ricciardi deserves to be bestowed with the Order of Canada for pulling this off. It was a pure salary trade, and the Jays were able to shed some (not all) of Mondesi's monster contract which saw him make $13 million in 2003. Verdict: great trade.
November 16, 2002
Toronto trades Chris Mowday and Michael Rouse to Oakland for SP Cory Lidle.
Obtained:
Cory Lidle, one season in Toronto
Signed as a free agent with Cincinnati on December 29, 2003.
Traded Away:
Neither Mowday nor Rouse have played in Oakland.
Synopsis: Lidle was victimized by some bad luck in 2003; his peripherals were not terrible, 112 strikeouts, 60 walks and 24 homeruns. He did, however, lead the AL in runs allowed with 123. Lidle signed with Cincinnati on December 29, 2003, as we all wait patiently for the Batter's Box sponsorship of his baseball-reference.com page to expire on February 8, 2004. Less than a month to go. Verdict: a moderately poor trade.
December 15, 2002
Toronto, Oakland, Cincinnati and Arizona involved in a four-team trade. Toronto sends SS Felipe Lopez to Cincinnati. Cincinnati sends SP Elmer Dessens to Arizona. Arizona sends DH Erubiel Durazo to Oakland. Oakland sends SP Jason Arnold and OF John-Ford Griffin.
Obtained:
Neither Jason Arnold nor John-Ford Griffin have played in Toronto yet.
Traded Away (to Cincinnati):
Felipe Lopez, one season in Cincinnati
Still with Cincinnati as of January 16, 2004.
Traded (from Cincinnati to Arizona):
Elmer Dessens, one season in Arizona
Still with Arizona as of January 16, 2004.
Traded (from Arizona to Oakland):
Erubiel Durazo, one season in Oakland
Still with Oakland as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: J.P. and his buddy Billy Beane worked some magic on the Reds and D'Backs. Although Arnold's stock has fallen a little with his struggles at AAA Syracuse in 2003, Jays fans (including this one) are optimistic that he will contribute at the Major League level, and soon. Griffin is a good outfield prospect in a Jays organization that is loaded with them. Lopez and Dessens had poor seasons for Cincinnati and Arizona, respectively. Durazo was decent in Oakland, but the A's expected more power. Going forward, this trade looks good for all the parties except for Arizona, although they now have Richie Sexson at first base, so their fans will soon forget about Durazo. Cincinnati still has hope for Lopez, the Jays first round pick in the 1998 draft, and all that they lost was Dessens. The Jays like Arnold and JFG, and the A's like Durazo. Verdict: a good trade.
July 16, 2003
Toronto trades OF Shannon Stewart to Minnesota for OF Bobby Kielty.
Obtained:
Bobby Kielty, one season in Toronto
Traded to Oakland on November 18, 2003.
Traded Away:
Shannon Stewart, one season in Minnesota
Still with Minnesota as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: Kielty was not a Jay for long, having been subsequently traded for Ted Lilly. Kielty will best be remembered in Toronto for a fantastic tumbling-over-the-fence catch in rightfield at Fenway Park. Stewart was excellent for Minnesota, finishing fourth in one of the wackiest and baseless sets of MVP voting results ever. The Jays had no intention of re-signing Stewart, and they eventually parlayed Kielty into Lilly. Verdict: hurt in 2003, but beneficial going forward if Lilly is productive as a Jay.
November 18, 2003
Toronto trades OF Bobby Kielty to Oakland for SP Ted Lilly.
Synopsis: Lilly, who was arbitration eligible, signed a two-year, $5 million deal with the Jays on January 14, 2004. This trade should be good for the both sides, as the Jays were long on outfielders and short on starting pitching and the A's were long on pitching and short on offence.
December 14, 2003
Toronto, Colorado and Tampa Bay involved in a three-team trade. Toronto sends SP Mark Hendrickson to Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay sends SP Joe Kennedy to Colorado. Colorado sends RP Justin Speier to Toronto.
Synopsis: Speier (along with Kerry Ligtenberg, Terry Adams and Valerio de los Santos) was added to bolster the Jays' bullpen for 2004. Kennedy showed some promise in his first two seasons in Tampa Bay, but he seems to have suffered from a heavy innings load and fallen off a bit in 2004. Speier is an established relief pitcher, whose numbers should improve by moving from Coors Field to Skydome.
Thanks to Leigh for a great week of reading.
Part Five : J.P. Ricciardi -- A New Hope
by Leigh Sprague
December 7, 2001
Toronto trades RP Billy Koch to Oakland for 3B Eric Hinske and SP Justin Miller.
Obtained:
Eric Hinske, two seasons in Toronto
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2002 .279/.365/.481 151 99 -/-
2003 .243/.329/.437 124 64 -/-
Still with Toronto as of January 16, 2004.
Justin Miller, one season in Toronto
Year ip w l era
2002 102.3 9 5 5.54
Still with Toronto as of January 16, 2004.
Traded Away:
Billy Koch, one season in Oakland
Year ip w l sv era
2002 93.7 11 4 44 3.27
Traded to Chicago (AL) on December 3, 2002.
Synopsis: this was J.P. Ricciardi's first trade as the Jays' GM, and all he got was a Rookie of the Year. Hinske's defence has been a concern, but he is a hard-worker who should come around. His offence fell off a bit in 2003, but much of that is attributable to a broken hamate bone. Miller was injured in 2003, but could pitch in 2004 should something go awry with one or more of the Jays starters. Koch was decent as the A's closer in 2002, and then was traded to the White Sox for Keith Foulke, Mark Johnson and Joe Valentine. In 2003, Koch imploded for the White Sox, and Foulke was excellent for the A's. Valentine remains a top prospect. Foulke has since signed with the Red Sox, and Valentine was sent to the Reds in the Jose Guillen trade at the 2003 deadline. Guillen was unspectacular as a rent-a-player for the A's, and has since signed with the Angels. Verdict: a good trade, especially going forward.
December 10, 2001
Toronto trades SS Alex Gonzalez to Chicago (NL) for RP Felix Heredia and James Deschaine.
Obtained:
Felix Heredia, one season in Toronto
Year ip w l era
2002 52.3 1 2 3.61
Signed as a free agent with Cincinnati on January 11, 2003.
James Deschaine has not played in Toronto.
Traded Away:
Alex Gonzalez, two seasons in Chicago
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2002 .248/.312/.425 142 67 -/-
2003 .228/.295/.409 152 63 +/-
Still with Chicago as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: this was Ricciardi's second installment in his payroll-clearing plan. The Cubs paid Gonzalez a total of $10 million for 2002 and 2003 (combined), certainly more than is warranted by his two-year WARP (Wins Above Replacement Player) total of 9.5. Heredia was a good LOOGY for the Jays in 2002. Verdict: a good trade.
December 13, 2001
Toronto trades RP Paul Quantrill and SS Cesar Izturis to Los Angeles for SP Luke Prokopec and Chad Ricketts.
Obtained:
Luke Prokopec, one season in Toronto
Year ip w l era
2002 71.7 2 9 6.78
Now playing for Cincinnati.
Chad Ricketts has not played for Toronto.
Traded Away:
Paul Quantrill, two seasons in Los Angeles
Year ip w l sv era
2002 76.7 5 4 1 2.70
2003 77.3 2 5 1 1.75
Signed as a free agent with New York (AL) on December 3, 2003.
Cesar Izturis, two seasons with Los Angeles
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2002 .232/.253/.303 135 34 +/-
2003 .251/.282/.315 158 49 +/-
Still with Los Angeles as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: oops. Prokopec did not work out (yet another pitcher with acute gopheritis failing at Skydome). Quantrill was fantastic in the Dodgers' bullpen for two seasons, but the Jays could not have afforded him, at over $6 million total for those two seasons (combined). I was surprised to see that Izturis has had a below average range factor for the past two seasons. That, combined with his career .270 on-base percentage, indicate nothing that should upset Jays' fans with regard to losing him. Verdict: a poor trade.
January 2, 2002
Toronto trades Mike Kremblas to Oakland for C Tom Wilson.
Obtained:
Tom Wilson, two seasons in Toronto
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2002 .257/.334/.385 96 33 -/-
2003 .258/.331/.391 96 33 nil/+
Claimed off waivers by San Diego on January 7, 2004.
Traded Away:
Mike Kremblas has not played in Oakland.
Synopsis: Wilson became a fan favourite as Toronto's backup catcher in 2002 and 2003. Wilson's 2002 and 2003 are very similar, and if the Padres choose to let him play (although that would necessitate an injury to Ramon Hernandez), he should be reasonably productive. Verdict: a good trade.
January 17, 2002
Toronto trades DH Brad Fullmer to Anaheim for SP Brian Cooper.
Obtained:
Brian Cooper, one season in Toronto
Year ip w l era
2002 8.3 0 1 14.04
Signed as a free agent with Chicago (AL) on January 27, 2003.
Traded Away:
Brad Fullmer, two seasons in Anaheim
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2002 .289/.357/.531 130 77 dh
2003 .306/.387/.500 63 39 dh
Signed as a free agent with Texas on December 10, 2003.
Synopsis: Fullmer's contract was a little rich for Blue Jay owner Ted Rogers' liking, as the designated hitter was slated to make $4 million in 2002. Cooper was somewhat of a bust, but this trade was a salary dump anyhow. Should Mark Teixeira falter or be needed in the outfield, Fullmer - who has had a couple years of great rate stats - could get some time at firstbase for the Rangers in 2004. Verdict: moderately disadvantageous.
May 26, 2002
Toronto trades RP Dan Plesac to Philadelphia for RP Cliff Politte.
Obtained:
Cliff Politte, two seasons in Toronto
Year ip w l sv era
2002 57.3 1 3 1 3.61
2003 49.3 1 5 12 5.66
Signed as a free agent with Chicago (AL) on January 7, 2004.
Traded Away:
Dan Plesac, two seasons in Philadelphia
Year ip w l sv era
2002 23 2 1 1 4.70
2003 33.3 2 1 2 2.70
Announced retirement on December 11, 2003.
Synopsis: Politte was great in the Jays bullpen in 2002, but fell apart in 2003 when handed the closer role upon Kelvim Escobar's return to the starting rotation. Plesac, who says that Toronto is his favourite city that he played in, gave the Phillies 56.3 innings before retiring. Politte was over $1 million cheaper in 2002 than Plesac, so perhaps that tips the scales. Verdict: a mildly advantageous trade.
July 1, 2002
Toronto trades OF Raul Mondesi to New York (AL) for P Scott Wiggins.
Obtained:
Scott Wiggins, one season in Toronto
Year ip w l era
2002 2.7 0 0 3.38
Traded Away:
Raul Mondesi, two seasons in New York
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2002 .241/.315/.430 71 36 -/-
2003 .258/.330/.471 98 55 +/+
Traded to Arizona on July 31, 2003.
Synopsis: regardless of what happens to Scott Wiggins, Ricciardi deserves to be bestowed with the Order of Canada for pulling this off. It was a pure salary trade, and the Jays were able to shed some (not all) of Mondesi's monster contract which saw him make $13 million in 2003. Verdict: great trade.
November 16, 2002
Toronto trades Chris Mowday and Michael Rouse to Oakland for SP Cory Lidle.
Obtained:
Cory Lidle, one season in Toronto
Year ip w l era
2003 192.7 12 15 5.75
Signed as a free agent with Cincinnati on December 29, 2003.
Traded Away:
Neither Mowday nor Rouse have played in Oakland.
Synopsis: Lidle was victimized by some bad luck in 2003; his peripherals were not terrible, 112 strikeouts, 60 walks and 24 homeruns. He did, however, lead the AL in runs allowed with 123. Lidle signed with Cincinnati on December 29, 2003, as we all wait patiently for the Batter's Box sponsorship of his baseball-reference.com page to expire on February 8, 2004. Less than a month to go. Verdict: a moderately poor trade.
December 15, 2002
Toronto, Oakland, Cincinnati and Arizona involved in a four-team trade. Toronto sends SS Felipe Lopez to Cincinnati. Cincinnati sends SP Elmer Dessens to Arizona. Arizona sends DH Erubiel Durazo to Oakland. Oakland sends SP Jason Arnold and OF John-Ford Griffin.
Obtained:
Neither Jason Arnold nor John-Ford Griffin have played in Toronto yet.
Traded Away (to Cincinnati):
Felipe Lopez, one season in Cincinnati
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2003 .213/.313/.299 59 18 -/-
Still with Cincinnati as of January 16, 2004.
Traded (from Cincinnati to Arizona):
Elmer Dessens, one season in Arizona
Year ip w l era
2003 175.7 8 8 5.07
Still with Arizona as of January 16, 2004.
Traded (from Arizona to Oakland):
Erubiel Durazo, one season in Oakland
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2003 .259/.374/.430 154 86 dh
Still with Oakland as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: J.P. and his buddy Billy Beane worked some magic on the Reds and D'Backs. Although Arnold's stock has fallen a little with his struggles at AAA Syracuse in 2003, Jays fans (including this one) are optimistic that he will contribute at the Major League level, and soon. Griffin is a good outfield prospect in a Jays organization that is loaded with them. Lopez and Dessens had poor seasons for Cincinnati and Arizona, respectively. Durazo was decent in Oakland, but the A's expected more power. Going forward, this trade looks good for all the parties except for Arizona, although they now have Richie Sexson at first base, so their fans will soon forget about Durazo. Cincinnati still has hope for Lopez, the Jays first round pick in the 1998 draft, and all that they lost was Dessens. The Jays like Arnold and JFG, and the A's like Durazo. Verdict: a good trade.
July 16, 2003
Toronto trades OF Shannon Stewart to Minnesota for OF Bobby Kielty.
Obtained:
Bobby Kielty, one season in Toronto
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2003 .233/.342/.376 62 23 +/-
Traded to Oakland on November 18, 2003.
Traded Away:
Shannon Stewart, one season in Minnesota
Year avg./obp./slg. gms rc fld/rf
2003 .322/.384/.470 65 48 +/+
Still with Minnesota as of January 16, 2004.
Synopsis: Kielty was not a Jay for long, having been subsequently traded for Ted Lilly. Kielty will best be remembered in Toronto for a fantastic tumbling-over-the-fence catch in rightfield at Fenway Park. Stewart was excellent for Minnesota, finishing fourth in one of the wackiest and baseless sets of MVP voting results ever. The Jays had no intention of re-signing Stewart, and they eventually parlayed Kielty into Lilly. Verdict: hurt in 2003, but beneficial going forward if Lilly is productive as a Jay.
November 18, 2003
Toronto trades OF Bobby Kielty to Oakland for SP Ted Lilly.
Synopsis: Lilly, who was arbitration eligible, signed a two-year, $5 million deal with the Jays on January 14, 2004. This trade should be good for the both sides, as the Jays were long on outfielders and short on starting pitching and the A's were long on pitching and short on offence.
December 14, 2003
Toronto, Colorado and Tampa Bay involved in a three-team trade. Toronto sends SP Mark Hendrickson to Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay sends SP Joe Kennedy to Colorado. Colorado sends RP Justin Speier to Toronto.
Synopsis: Speier (along with Kerry Ligtenberg, Terry Adams and Valerio de los Santos) was added to bolster the Jays' bullpen for 2004. Kennedy showed some promise in his first two seasons in Tampa Bay, but he seems to have suffered from a heavy innings load and fallen off a bit in 2004. Speier is an established relief pitcher, whose numbers should improve by moving from Coors Field to Skydome.
