The Astros added another big bat Saturday, as they acquired
shortstop Aledmys Diaz from the Blue Jays for pitching prospect
Trent Thornton.
OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired Minor League RHP
Trent Thornton from the @astros in
exchange for INF Aledmys Díaz. pic.twitter.com/yJekdHIPZI— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays)
November 17, 2018
This move gives the Astros insurance if shortstop Marwin
Gonzalez leaves in free agency this winter. In his lone season with
the Blue Jays, Diaz hit .263 with 18 home runs and 55 RBI in 130
games. The 28-year-old was acquired from the Cardinals last
offseason as the Blue Jays traded 2016 second-round pick J.B.
Woodman for the 2016 All-Star.
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As for what the Blue Jays got in return, Thornton is a
25-year-old right-hander who spent the last four seasons in
Houston’s farm system. Thornton is the Astros’ 24th ranked
prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. The 2015 fifth-round
draft pick started 22 games for Houston’s Triple-A affiliate, the
Fresno Grizzlies, in 2018, tossing a 9-8 record and a 4.42 ERA. MLB
Pipeline projects Thornton to be an end-of-rotation starter or a
middle reliever. He has yet to pitch in the majors.
The move allows the Blue Jays to make Troy Tulowitzki the
full-time starting shortstop again after he missed the 2018 season
with bone spur injuries. If the Blue Jays decide to play Tulowitzki
at a different position, the door opens for the team to call up Bo
Bichette. The 20-year-old is the Blue Jays’ No. 2 prospect and the
No. 11 prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. He spent
the 2018 season with Toronto’s Double-A affiliate, the New
Hampshire Fisher Cats.
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