March 29, 2024

Blue Jays get Tulo, Royals trade for Zobrist

TORONTO (AP) — It appeared the Toronto Blue Jays needed to add starting pitching to help their playoff push. Instead, they traded for a star shortstop.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said acquiring five-time All-Star Troy Tulowitzki from the Colorado Rockies was “the rare chance that one of the best at his position was available.”

“We’re getting the best shortstop in baseball in our minds,” Anthopoulos said. “We’re just thrilled.”

The Blue Jays also obtained reliever LaTroy Hawkins from the Rockies for shortstop Jose Reyes and minor league right-handers Miguel Castro, Jeff Hoffman and Jesus Tinoco.

Toronto (50-50) began the night tied for second in the AL East, seven games behind the New York Yankees. The Blue Jays lead baseball with 528 runs but their starters have a 4.38 ERA, third worst in the AL.

Toronto has not reached the playoffs since winning the 1993 World Series — the longest drought of any major league team.

Asked whether Tulowitzki’s offensive and defensive contributions would be enough to end Toronto’s postseason skid without an upgrade to the rotation, Anthopoulos said he couldn’t answer until after Friday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

“You can save that one for Friday,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re not having that discussion.”

Royals land Zobrist in trade with Oakland

CLEVELAND (AP) — Back in college, Ben Zobrist once kicked Ned Yost out of his apartment.

He’ll now play for Kansas City’s manager.

The Royals made another big addition for the season’s stretch run on Tuesday, acquiring the versatile Zobrist and nearly $2.6 million from the Oakland Athletics for right-hander Aaron Brooks and minor league left-hander Sean Manaea.

The 34-year-old Zobrist, an infielder and outfielder, batted .268 with six home runs and 33 RBIs in 67 games for the A’s, who are in last place in the AL West after three straight playoff seasons.

He joins a Royals team that leads the AL in wins and has an eye on winning the World Series after losing in seven games to the San Francisco Giants last October.

All-star closer Papelbon traded to Nationals

MIAMI (AP) — The Washington Nationals have a new closer, landing All-Star Jonathan Papelbon from the Philadelphia Phillies.

Papelbon is Philadelphia’s career saves leader with 123 and is 17-for-17 in save chances this season. Papelbon also is Boston’s saves leader with 219.

The 34-year-old right-hander had said he wouldn’t accept a trade unless he would remain a closer, and agreed to waive his no-trade clause after getting the assurances he needed from Washington. Drew Storen, 29-for-31 in save chances this season, shifts to primarily a setup role.

As part of the trade, Papelbon’s $13 million option for 2016 becomes a guaranteed $11 million salary. Some of that money will be deferred, Rizzo said, adding that the Nationals weren’t worried about bringing Papelbon into their clubhouse mix.

The Phillies will receive Double-A right-hander Nick Pivetta for Papelbon. The Nationals designated catcher Dan Butler for assignment.

The Phillies are a major league-worst 37-63.