Calling Kelvim Escobar's departure "all but a foregone conclusion for months," Spencer Fordin looks at the decision to let him go in a fine column on the Official Site.
From the beginning of the season, the Blue Jays braced against losing the talented right-hander. They tried to move him before the trade deadline, but they weren't able to find an acceptable offer. Now, the return is twofold -- the Jays net two draft picks from Anaheim and can also use the money earmarked for Escobar to apply to other areas of need.
With no axe to grind, and without inventing some silly concept like "returning wins," Fordin, who is pretty hard to brainwash, sees all J.P.'s offseason moves in context.
Escobar's 180 innings are more than offset by the twin acquisitions of Lilly and Hentgen, provided that they stay healthy. In fact, Hentgen had the best ERA of that trio, and Lilly's was comparable to Escobar's. Neither of the additions have Escobar's upside, but that's not really the point: Collectively, they'll cost a great deal less than the brand-new Angel on his own.
I agree 100% with his conclusion. Like them or not, the budget restrictions are reality, so it's a good thing to have saved the money. If it's used to land another decent starter, a bullpen upgrade and some shortstop help, the team will be significantly improved.
From the beginning of the season, the Blue Jays braced against losing the talented right-hander. They tried to move him before the trade deadline, but they weren't able to find an acceptable offer. Now, the return is twofold -- the Jays net two draft picks from Anaheim and can also use the money earmarked for Escobar to apply to other areas of need.
With no axe to grind, and without inventing some silly concept like "returning wins," Fordin, who is pretty hard to brainwash, sees all J.P.'s offseason moves in context.
Escobar's 180 innings are more than offset by the twin acquisitions of Lilly and Hentgen, provided that they stay healthy. In fact, Hentgen had the best ERA of that trio, and Lilly's was comparable to Escobar's. Neither of the additions have Escobar's upside, but that's not really the point: Collectively, they'll cost a great deal less than the brand-new Angel on his own.
I agree 100% with his conclusion. Like them or not, the budget restrictions are reality, so it's a good thing to have saved the money. If it's used to land another decent starter, a bullpen upgrade and some shortstop help, the team will be significantly improved.
