Matt Thornton to Boston

[caulfield12]

I would disagree regarding Semien. The most eye-catching stat in his second straight excellent offensive season is that he has 66 walks and 61 strikeouts on the year. Not bad for 22 year old middle infielder in AA (leading the league in runs). If he doesn't collapse he'll be appearing on some top 100 lists next year.

 

Not in a million years.

 

Sanchez had a more impressive season (for his age and level) last year and didn't come close to making it, either.

[daggins]

99% of baseball players are complementary. Those guys do win championships. I think we are all familiar with how difficult it can be to find competent players at premium positions (IE White Sox CF from 2006-2009).

[Chisoxfn]

I would disagree regarding Semien. The most eye-catching stat in his second straight excellent offensive season is that he has 66 walks and 61 strikeouts on the year. Not bad for 22 year old middle infielder in AA (leading the league in runs). If he doesn't collapse he'll be appearing on some top 100 lists next year.

Semien has some solid tools too. He's got a chance.

[witesoxfan]

Good to see the old greg back.

 

 

I can't believe this is the first time I've seen this joke made in connection with greg. Awesome, and such a great bit.

 

Anyways, anybody upset with this return is crazy. Expecting any more or any less was going to be unrealistic.

[Y2Jimmy0]

Can't be walking the leadoff hitter Matt. (Chris Young of all people) Sucks for him, but never upset to see Boston lose.

 

Side note from that game: Turns out the Cubs did have their 3B of the future in their system the whole time. Too bad they traded him to Oakland, Donaldson is killing it this season.

 

 

Not really. Donaldson is going to be 28 years old. He sucked for 2 years in the minors. Was a throw-in in the Rich Harden deal.

[LittleHurt05]

Not really. Donaldson is going to be 28 years old. He sucked for 2 years in the minors. Was a throw-in in the Rich Harden deal.

 

That throw-in is putting up a .900 OPS at the hot corner

[LittleHurt05]

Jonah Keri on Grantland.com

They traded one of the fastest-deteriorating relief pitchers in the game for a toolsy, 22-year-old outfielder who might one day become something interesting.

 

Matt Thornton could still help the Red Sox, of course. At age 36 he still throws a 95 mph fastball and one of the more effective sliders for any left-handed reliever. But the effectiveness of that fastball has gone downhill the past few years, even if its speed has not. Once able to snuff out both left- and right-handed hitters, Thornton had allowed an ugly .320/.414/.420 line against righty swingers this year, while only .173/.232/.385 against lefties at the time of the trade. That continues some disturbing trends for the lefty:

 

Year K % OPS allowed vs. RHB

 

2010 33.9 .584

2011 24.1 .672

2012 19.9 .709

2013 19.1 .834

 

If you're the Red Sox, you live with Thornton as a Randy Choate–style situational lefty (and a downgrade from out-for-the-season flamethrower Andrew Miller), and avoid using him in high-leverage situations versus right-handed hitters. The always-sharp Tim Britton of the Providence Journal notes that Thornton has pitched much better since June 1, so that could be a good sign.

 

If you're the White Sox, you're happy to pocket nearly $2 million (Thornton is making $5.5 million this year, and Chicago threw in $750,000 to cover part of his remaining 2013 salary). And you're happier to take a look at Brandon Jacobs. A 6-foot-1, 225-pound bruiser, Jacobs was recruited by Auburn to play football before signing with the Red Sox after getting drafted in the 10th round four years ago. He has drawn high marks for his raw athleticism but hasn't put up the numbers to match. Jacobs put up strong numbers in 2011 in Greenville of the Sally League, hitting .303/.376/.505. But he's stalled since then at high Class A Salem, hitting .252/.322/.410 in 2012 and .244/.334/.440 this season before the trade.

 

Still, with Thornton gone and several solid veterans (Jake Peavy, Alex Rios) reportedly available, new GM Rick Hahn has shown that he's willing to aggressively trade for prospects. Jacobs's natural talent, combined with his lack of results, make him a boom-or-bust candidate who's far more likely to bust. But when your tools have been declared superior to those of a rare untouchable prospect in a very deep system and your own organization is dying for talent, you make that deal every time.

 

 

[Kyyle23]

That throw-in is putting up a .900 OPS at the hot corner

 

Wasnt Donaldson a catcher when he was traded to the A's?

[LittleHurt05]

Wasnt Donaldson a catcher when he was traded to the A's?

 

Correctamundo

[Balta1701]

Correctamundo

Which is why a smart GM will always, always, always make sure he gets a throw-in when he trades away a big leaguer.

[chw42]

Which is why a smart GM will always, always, always make sure he gets a throw-in when he trades away a big leaguer.

 

Wasn't Donaldson a first rounder? I don't know if he was really a throw-in.

[Vance Law]

Not in a million years.

 

Sanchez had a more impressive season (for his age and level) last year and didn't come close to making it, either.

 

Sanchez was #64 on Fangraphs Top 100 for what it's worth, and his offense is dogs*** compared to Semien. He pretty much has to be the batting champion in order to be worthwhile.

[witesoxfan]

Sanchez was #64 on Fangraphs Top 100 for what it's worth, and his offense is dogs*** compared to Semien. He pretty much has to be the batting champion in order to be worthwhile.

 

Semien is 22 in AA, Sanchez is 21 and in AAA. That's your primary difference.

[Vance Law]

Semien is 22 in AA, Sanchez is 21 and in AAA. That's your primary difference.

 

 

Yes, true. In the not to distant future, they'll both be in AAA and my money is on Semien clearly distinguishing himself from Sanchez, whose upside to me seems like the current bad version of Alexei. .290 avg with no power and no walks. Utility guy or if he's an all-glove middle infielder, we'd better be getting a lot more production everywhere else.