According to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports, the Toronto Blue Jays are on the verge of acquiring speed demon outfielder Rajai Davis in exchange for relief pitching prospects Tryston Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar.
Last season, Davis enjoyed a breakout season with the Athletics, batting a cool .284 with five home runs and 52 RBI’s to go along with 51 stolen bases. Davis’ arrival likely means the end of Fred Lewis’ time in Toronto.
Davis was deemed expendable by the Athletics after the club traded prospect pitcher Vin Mazzaro for outfielder David DeJesus in an early offseason deal with the Kansas City Royals.
When Davis arrives in Toronto, you should expect him to man the outfield and, possibly, see Jose Bautista move from right field to third base. Although Davis is a speed demon, his low on-base percentage does not scream leadoff hitter to me (.320).
The offseason is still in its early stages, but it’s apparent GM Alex Anthopolous and new manager John Farrell want to bring an element of speed to the Jays lineup.
The Blue Jays ended up trading relief pitching prospect Tryston Magnuson in the rumored deal. Magnuson, who hails from Vancouver British Columbia, was one of Toronto’s best relievers last season in all levels of the minors.
In 73.1 IP, Magnuson went 3-0 and collect 63 strikeouts to go along with only 10 walks.
Magnuson, originally drafted by J.P. Ricciardi 56th overall in 2007, would have come into spring training as a long shot to make the Jays bullpen this year, but the future still looks very bright for this Canadian.
Farquhar went 4-3 last season to go along with 17 saves with the New Hampshire Fishercats. In 76.2 IP, Farquhar only gave up 50 hits and struckout 79 batters, however, he battled control issues all season and walked 42 batters.
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