The Toronto Blue Jays have traded outfielder Ben Revere and a player to be named later to the Washington Nationals in exchange for reliever Drew Storen.
The @BlueJays have acquired RHP Drew Storen from the Nationals for OF Ben Revere and a player to be named later. pic.twitter.com/P7APq4emB2
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) January 9, 2016
The Nationals, who recently saw Denard Span bolt to the San Francisco Giants, were in desperate need of an outfielder and Revere is a good replacement. Revere had an excellent 2015 campaign split between the Phillies and Blue Jays, hitting .306 with a .342 OBP to go along with two home runs, 45 RBI, and 31 stolen bases.
While not gifted with a great arm, he covers a lot of ground in the outfield and can play all three spots (though he really can’t hit enough to play in a corner, and his arm isn’t good enough for center). He’s in his third of four years of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two, and is a free agent after the 2017 season. The Nationals aren’t bleeding bullpen depth, but are in fine shape entering next season.
The Blue Jays get an impact reliever who’s been jerked around by the Nationals. He was excellent in 2015, pitching to a 3.44 ERA, a 2.79 FIP, and saving 29 games. He bizarrely lost his closer job to Jonathan Papelbon at the trade deadline, and has been deemed expendable ever since. He joins a bullpen which will feature Brett Cecil, Roberto Osuna, and Aaron Sanchez, though Osuna could possibly move from closer to the rotation following the acquisition of Storen.
Toronto had the depth to deal Revere with Michael Saunders coming back from injury, and Dalton Pompey also remains in the gold a reserve outfielder. Storen is arbitration eligible for the fourth and final time this offseason, and will be a free agent after the 2016 season.
The trade favors the Blue Jays as they acquire the better player, but it fits a huge need for each club. The Nationals get a starting outfielder with speed, while the Blue Jays get a dominant reliever. Both GMs can walk away happy from this one.
