Holy piss, something actually has happened!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Source: The Toronto Blue Jays have traded for Yangervis Solarte from San Diego.
&mdash; Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/949749858247827457?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Maybe I&#8217;ll change my tune once I see that cost, but on first blush, this is a very nice add. To wit:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Solarte owns a career 106 wRC+ and been worth at least 1.1 WAR in each of the past four seasons. High-floor depth player who can play every infield position. Solid.<a href="https://t.co/6yUvZH4YiO">https://t.co/6yUvZH4YiO</a>
&mdash; Jonah Birenbaum (@birenball) <a href="https://twitter.com/birenball/status/949750968962437120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Contract is very team friendly, too:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Yangervis Solarte, 30, has played all four infield positions in San Diego with relative competence. He has been worth, on average, 1.8 fWAR per season over the past four years. His contract looks like this: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> <a href="https://t.co/arxrJLTbrP">pic.twitter.com/arxrJLTbrP</a>
&mdash; Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/949751116144828417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So the Jays&#8217; middle infield situation has now gone from Tulo, Travis, Goins, and Barney, with Lourdes Gurriel and Richard Ureña a little too far away to help, to Tulo, Travis, Solarte, and Aldemys Diaz, with Ureña and Gurriel that much closer to knocking on the door (and Bo Bichette perhaps not all that far behind them). Assuming none of those players is in this deal, that is. (We can definitely assume Bichette isn&#8217;t, relax).
That is some very nice improvement in an area where the club&#8217;s top two players are unlikely to have full, healthy seasons.
There&#8217;s also this:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
I figured the Blue Jays would sign Eduardo Nunez to be their super-utility player. Instead, they traded for him. <a href="https://t.co/NUY9zMXC1R">pic.twitter.com/NUY9zMXC1R</a>
&mdash; Jonah Birenbaum (@birenball) <a href="https://twitter.com/birenball/status/949752102355636225?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
For those who would like that image <del>a little</del> marginally more readable:
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39962" src="https://bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2018/01/nunez-solarte-stats.jpg" alt="" width="977" height="70" />
Also of note here: while Nuñez is a right-handed batter, Solarte is a switch hitter, and was significantly better in 2017 as a lefty (108 wRC+ versus 54) &#8212; as he has been in every year of his career, save for his rookie season of 2014. (He&#8217;s not usually been as bad from the right side, it should be noted. But more importantly: this is a roster that needed some extra balance, and he give them a touch of that, at the very least. Hell, there&#8217;s a chance he steals some DH at-bats against right-handers from Kendrys).
What we think of this will ultimately depend on the cost, of course, but based on the assumption that it won&#8217;t be a top tier prospect (it isn&#8217;t, see below) I think the Jays have done really well for themselves. Nuñez may not get that much more than what Solarte&#8217;s deal will ultimately pay him, but he&#8217;ll get more, and having those option years instead of guaranteed ones is pretty nifty.
Aaaaand now we have a name:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Sources: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> acquire Yangervis Solarte from the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padres</a> in exchange for Edward Olivares and a “small second piece.”
&mdash; Robert Murray (@RobertMurrayFRS) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobertMurrayFRS/status/949754012340977665?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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And some details on Olivares as well:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
I have Olivares as my No. 16 prospect in the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> system. Was arguably their biggest positional breakout in 2017. Toolsy, talented outfielder who finished season in +A Dunedin. <a href="https://t.co/PoWJv7FTcE">https://t.co/PoWJv7FTcE</a>
&mdash; Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/949754760084840448?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Jays system these days is better than Prime Time Sports would have you think (not that anyone under 50 listens to that now that Brunt&#8217;s gone anyway), so the 16th best guy certainly has value &#8212; obviously &#8212; but the Jays have some depth among tweener types who might not quite hit enough to play in a corner and might not defend enough to play centre (which may not be what Olivares is, but that seems to be what I see, with him having played some centre, but mostly right field, and having had a really nice career in the low minors as a hitter, though walking just 4.7% of the time in his breakout season this year in Lansing). Olivares is clearly much farther out, but there were guys like Teoscar, Alford, Pompey, Gurriel, (Pillar, obviously) and others ahead of him here, and the hope is that some of that group is actually going to stick here for a long time &#8212; and I know the Jays are very high on Alford.
Of course, that description is just me looking at numbers. Here&#8217;s someone far more knowledgeable weighing in:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Edward Olivares is an interesting get for the Padres. Three potential plus tools in the speed, run and glove. Also has some raw power. Approach at the plate leaves a lot to be desired. Probably a fourth outfielder.
&mdash; Christopher Crawford (@Crawford_MILB) <a href="https://twitter.com/Crawford_MILB/status/949761838018805760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
On the other hand we have Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, who watched Olivares all year at Lansing, told our Ryan Di Francesco this about him <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/2017/07/18/milb-blue-jays-prospects-the-future-is-bright-get-your-ray-bans/">back in July</a>:
<blockquote>Edward Olivares sure looks like a four/five-tool player. His great speed shows up both on the basepaths (17 SB) and in the outfield. His arm is strong, his power (15 HR) is self-evident, and he’s batting .280+. A toolsy player, though, is only as good as the tools he uses during the game, not just in warm-ups – and Edward’s tools affect every game he plays.</blockquote>
So, maybe a guy who can legitimately defend in centre &#8212; don&#8217;t scout the stat line, kids! Still, though, three years of Solarte at a nice price with club options is a very nice get. Now to take a sip from this big glass of water&#8230;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
I’m sure his primary position is just a coincidence and has no bearing on future moves
&mdash; Drew Fairservice (@DrewGROF) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrewGROF/status/949756876509519872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTSSSSHHHHHHHYYYYYSSHHHHH
Solarte&#8217;s primary position is third base. Drew&#8217;s primary position, of course, is fucking ghoul.
Moving on, here&#8217;s the other prospect going to the Padres here:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-width="550" data-lang="en" data-dnt="true" data-partner="jetpack"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> also sending minor-lg righty Jared Carkuff to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padres</a> in Solarte deal, per source. He was a 35th round pick in 2016.&mdash; Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) <a href="https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi/status/949759827948929029?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
Sure, OK.
The deal is indeed official:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Padres</a> acquire OF Edward Olivares &amp; RHP Jared Carkuff from the Blue Jays in exchange for INF Yangervis Solarte: <a href="https://t.co/77v6ll5wnl">https://t.co/77v6ll5wnl</a> <a href="https://t.co/6MYtVkNatz">pic.twitter.com/6MYtVkNatz</a>
&mdash; San Diego Padres (@Padres) <a href="https://twitter.com/Padres/status/949762525721124864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
So&#8230; there&#8217;s that. I&#8217;ll offer some better structured and less of-the-moment thoughts on this, and how Solarte will fit on the Jays&#8217; roster, in the coming days. But the short version of it is: nice move! The acquisition cost is very palatable, Solarte is a good and versatile player, can help especially from the left side (where he might steal at-bats from Morales &#8212; or even allow Devon Travis to spend some time at DH), and with Aledmys Diaz having options still left, the move doesn&#8217;t really create any sort of roster problems for the time being. He might not be a game-changer, but a valuable depth piece who certainly raises the floor &#8212; something the Jays desperately needed to do this winter, especially in the middle infield. Hard to find anything to dislike here.

Holy piss, something actually has happened!

https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/status/949749858247827457

Maybe I'll change my tune once I see that cost, but on first blush, this is a very nice add. To wit:

https://twitter.com/birenball/status/949750968962437120

Contract is very team friendly, too:

https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/949751116144828417

So the Jays' middle infield situation has now gone from Tulo, Travis, Goins, and Barney, with Lourdes Gurriel and Richard Ureña a little too far away to help, to Tulo, Travis, Solarte, and Aldemys Diaz, with Ureña and Gurriel that much closer to knocking on the door (and Bo Bichette perhaps not all that far behind them). Assuming none of those players is in this deal, that is. (We can definitely assume Bichette isn't, relax).

That is some very nice improvement in an area where the club's top two players are unlikely to have full, healthy seasons.

There's also this:

https://twitter.com/birenball/status/949752102355636225

For those who would like that image <del>a little</del> marginally more readable:

<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-39962" src="https://bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2018/01/nunez-solarte-stats.jpg" alt="" width="977" height="70" />

Also of note here: while Nuñez is a right-handed batter, Solarte is a switch hitter, and was significantly better in 2017 as a lefty (108 wRC+ versus 54) -- as he has been in every year of his career, save for his rookie season of 2014. (He's not usually been as bad from the right side, it should be noted. But more importantly: this is a roster that needed some extra balance, and he give them a touch of that, at the very least. Hell, there's a chance he steals some DH at-bats against right-handers from Kendrys).

What we think of this will ultimately depend on the cost, of course, but based on the assumption that it won't be a top tier prospect (it isn't, see below) I think the Jays have done really well for themselves. Nuñez may not get that much more than what Solarte's deal will ultimately pay him, but he'll get more, and having those option years instead of guaranteed ones is pretty nifty.

Aaaaand now we have a name:

https://twitter.com/RobertMurrayFRS/status/949754012340977665

And some details on Olivares as well:

https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson/status/949754760084840448

The Jays system these days is better than Prime Time Sports would have you think (not that anyone under 50 listens to that now that Brunt's gone anyway), so the 16th best guy certainly has value -- obviously -- but the Jays have some depth among tweener types who might not quite hit enough to play in a corner and might not defend enough to play centre (which may not be what Olivares is, but that seems to be what I see, with him having played some centre, but mostly right field, and having had a really nice career in the low minors as a hitter, though walking just 4.7% of the time in his breakout season this year in Lansing). Olivares is clearly much farther out, but there were guys like Teoscar, Alford, Pompey, Gurriel, (Pillar, obviously) and others ahead of him here, and the hope is that some of that group is actually going to stick here for a long time -- and I know the Jays are very high on Alford.

Of course, that description is just me looking at numbers. Here's someone far more knowledgeable weighing in:

https://twitter.com/Crawford_MILB/status/949761838018805760

On the other hand we have Jesse Goldberg-Strassler, who watched Olivares all year at Lansing, told our Ryan Di Francesco this about him <a href="https://bluejaysnation.com/2017/07/18/milb-blue-jays-prospects-the-future-is-bright-get-your-ray-bans/">back in July</a>:
<blockquote>Edward Olivares sure looks like a four/five-tool player. His great speed shows up both on the basepaths (17 SB) and in the outfield. His arm is strong, his power (15 HR) is self-evident, and he’s batting .280+. A toolsy player, though, is only as good as the tools he uses during the game, not just in warm-ups – and Edward’s tools affect every game he plays.</blockquote>
So, maybe a guy who can legitimately defend in centre -- don't scout the stat line, kids! Still, though, three years of Solarte at a nice price with club options is a very nice get. Now to take a sip from this big glass of water...

https://twitter.com/DrewGROF/status/949756876509519872

PFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTTSSSSHHHHHHHYYYYYSSHHHHH

Solarte's primary position is third base. Drew's primary position, of course, is fucking ghoul.

Moving on, here's the other prospect going to the Padres here:

[tweet https://twitter.com/ShiDavidi/status/949759827948929029 hide_thread="true"]

Sure, OK.

The deal is indeed official:

https://twitter.com/Padres/status/949762525721124864

So... there's that. I'll offer some better structured and less of-the-moment thoughts on this, and how Solarte will fit on the Jays' roster, in the coming days. But the short version of it is: nice move! The acquisition cost is very palatable, Solarte is a good and versatile player, can help especially from the left side (where he might steal at-bats from Morales -- or even allow Devon Travis to spend some time at DH), and with Aledmys Diaz having options still left, the move doesn't really create any sort of roster problems for the time being. He might not be a game-changer, but a valuable depth piece who certainly raises the floor -- something the Jays desperately needed to do this winter, especially in the middle infield. Hard to find anything to dislike here.

Blue Jays Acquire Yangervis Solarte In Trade With San Diego

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