I didn't mean that Morrow would pitch for the Jays tomorrow but rather his next turn in the rotation might therefore align with Litsch's current spot.

It appears rumours of rumours of Litsch's demise maybe being premature may be premature.

How about trading Reyes et al. for draft picks?

Can't trade draft picks in MLB.

Lind against Tampa Bay. Last September. Maybe the 4th? That is entirely off memory and not B-R, so it could be wrong.

probably #2 starter stuff

I seriously doubt it.  Good trade bait if true.

He's obviously never pitched up to his potential, but everyone seems to agree the potential is there.

Well they agreed once upon a time.  It doesn't seem like anyone's too bullish anymore.  Scouts have been wrong before.  They seem to agree they were wrong on Reyes.  I can't see where anybody is expecting him to still be a #2 starter.  I think he amounts to a flyer for the Jays - a throw in on a trade of shortstops.

So before they were incorrect. And now they are correct?

We shall see: but lucky for Reyes, them being wrong before suggests it is possible they are wrong again.

Well it's not a scouting evaluation now, it's results-based evaluation.

I agree the results of his first start were not impressive.  But the question is does he have the potential upside to give him some more?  In my opinion yes, unless there is some tangible reason why the scouts (and other 'baseball people') feel the upside is gone (like lost velocity or proven inability to adjust). 

'In his first start with New Hampshire (AA) July 16, carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning before surrendering a one-out double... Was named Eastern League Pitcher of the Week (ending July 18) for his near no-hit performance...'

He's not some journeyman pitcher with a .500 record returning from a lengthy rehab... he's a former high pick who's 2 weeks younger than Ricky Romero, and 2 years younger than Purcey.

Another fan who appreciated Reye's spring training efforts.

http://500levelfan.com/2011/03/24/new-blood-in-the-rotation-celebrate/

Hopefully his average pitching performances are more like his spring training, and less like his 2011 debut.

I could care less about his first start.  He's not a rookie.  Everybody's had plenty of time to see him over the past four years in Atlanta and nobody seems to think much of him anymore.

Show me somebody who rates him.  He was a throw-in in a trade last year.

Well it's not a scouting evaluation now, it's results-based evaluation.

The argument against that point, which I have echoed elsewhere, goes thusly:

He has about 200 IP’s in his Major league career. 163.2 of those innings came in when he was 23 or younger: 2007 (age 22 season: 50.2 IP) and 2008 (age 23 season: 113.0 IP).

He's only 26 and still has very good stuff.

One might suggest that the aforementioned body of work does not provide a basis on which to determine his underlying ability to pitch at the Major League level going forward.

My argument is that I haven't seen anybody in the last 2 years say he has number 2 potential.  The evidence is the opposite.

This is nothing more than a flyer for the Jays.  Similar to Eveland last year - maybe a bit more potential.

My argument is that I haven't seen anybody in the last 2 years say he has number 2 potential.  The evidence is the opposite.

This is nothing more than a flyer for the Jays.  Similar to Eveland last year - maybe a bit more potential.

I can't argue whether or not any experts were actively touting his potential within the past two years. Perhaps not. I would also venture that no one was suggesting Bautista had 54 homer potential in the period leading up to AA picking him up.

However, Reyes may very well have that underlying potential: his start against the Yankees certainly suggests that he does. Recognizing that potential when no one else does is something that AA and his scouts can hopefully do once or twice, and certainly well worth taking a flyer on.

Not to grind a dead pony, but I think there was an online amendment somewhere by the same guy later in the year saying he now thought Reyes upside was a bit higher than that... I wish I could remember where I saw that.

However, even a number 3 or 4 starter is more valuable than a typical #5...  every rotation in baseball would like to add someone equivalent to their current #3 or #4 pitcher as a throw-in to a trade.  Was Cecil, Litsch or Rep ever even (or now) considered any higher?

Also, perhaps mentioned already but I don't think AA had no other options from Atlanta... he surely wanted JJ (even for an extended look) or he would not have received him.