Blue Jays get Melvin Upton for Hansel Rodriguez

It looks like the Jays are getting Melvin Upton (plus cash) for Hansel Rodriguez.

Rodriguez was a international free agent signing back in 2014. The Jays spent $330,00 on him. He’s a 6’2" right-hander that throws hard. Since signing, Hansel has spent 3 seasons in Bluefield, with a 4.61 ERA in 25 game, 18 starts, in total.

This year, he has a 3.06 ERA in 6 starts, 32.1 innings. He’s allowed 25 hits, 11 walks with 26 strikeouts. He’s 19 now.

He made my ‘just missed out’ group in our top 40 prospects list this year.

Melvin? Well he gives us better defense in the corners. Is a better bat than Smoak. He let’s us DH Jose Bautista and Michael Saunders, hopefully keeping them healthy. I’d rather him in the 4th outfielder spot than Ezequiel Carrera.

I’m really ok with the trade. I don’t think it necessarily means that Bautista and Encarnacion are gone, but I do like preparing for that possibility.

Update:

I'm liking this trade more:

Padres are paying all except $5M on melvin Upton. He has $22M plus left.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 26, 2016