Jays Trade Bats For Arms

Its been a busy night for Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos as he swings a pair of trades.

The first trade sees outfielder Travis Snider go to Pittsburgh for pitcher Brad Lincoln. The 27 year old Lincoln is 4-2 this season with one save and a 2.73 ERA in 28 games with five starts for the Pirates. The 6-0, 200 lb. right-handed pitcher has allowed 51 hits in 59.1 innings with 14 walks and 60 strikeouts. In parts of three seasons with the Pirates, the Lake Jackson, Texas native has a career record of 7-9 with a 4.62 ERA in 51 games, 22 starts. Lincoln was the Pirates first round selection in the 2006 first year player draft, fourth overall.

Snider entered tonight’s game batting .235 in nine games with three home runs and eight RBI. The 6-0, 230 lb. left handed hitter spent most of the season with Las Vegas of the Pacific Coast League (AAA) where he hit .335 in 61 games with 17 doubles, 13 home runs and 57 RBI.

Moments after the Jays were beaten by Seattle, Anthopoulos then sent outfielder Eric Thames to the Mariners for pitcher Steve Delabar.

Delabar, 29, appeared in 34 games during four stints with the Mariners going 2-1, 4.17 ERA with 46 strikeouts and nine home runs allowed. He ranked 8th amongst AL rookie relievers in appearances. With AAA Tacoma this season was 0-1, 3.75 ERA with 12 strikeouts in nine appearances.

Thames was hitting .335 with 31 runs, 15 doubles, 3 triples, 6 home runs and 32 RBI in 53 games with AAA Las Vegas in the Pacific Coast League. Over parts of the last two seasons in AAA has combined to hit .344 with 69 runs, 40 doubles, 7 triples, 13 home runs and 77 RBI in 106 games.



He made his Major League debut with Toronto in 2011, hitting .262 with 24 doubles, 5 triples, 12 home runs and 37 RBI in 95 games. In parts of two seasons in the Majors has combined to hit .257 with 31 doubles, 6 triples, 15 home runs and 48 RBI in 141 games.