Clev / Tor

[Deleted]

Toronto Sends:

A McCutchen PHI 9/19 9/20 9/21 9/22 UFA/23
P O’Brien MIA 0.5/19 UFA/20
A Jackson 0.2 Minor League deal

Cleve Sends:

J.A. Happ 26/19 UFA/20
Cole Hamels 20/19 UFA/20

We had decided to hold onto Happ and Hamels until we found a deal that benefitted both parties and whilst some GMs saw this as a way to try and rip off the Cleveland franchise, others saw the bigger picture and the potential for a massive SP upgrade for the 2019 season at a very reasonable cost. Toronto is loaded with young talent and we expect these to veteran SPs will be a huge boost to their bull pen. Thanks to Toronto for a fair deal and wishing the organisation all the best for the 2019 season.

[Toronto Blue Jays]

Blue Jays accept. After previous negotiations for Hamels and Happ it was apparent the Indians were looking for MLB talent in return over a package of prospects. I was initially excited after acquiring McCutchen who should be in a nice spot in a newly loaded lineup but after thinking of position eligibility and how my roster is constructed I thought he may be a guy CLE would be interested in with 4 years of control at a reasonable cost. Having Polanco and F. Reyes eligible at RF this year it made sense to make the deal and move McCutchen. Hamels and Happ may be in the downside of their careers and are only 1 year rentals on huge contracts but the fit seemed obvious. They give me 2 legit SPs for this year that will allow me to contend in 2019 instead of waiting until 2020 without sucking up valuable cap space in the long term. They provide the perfect bridge with my excessive cap space and provide nice fillers while I wait another year until hopefully A. Reyes, T. Walker and Kopech are healthy and along with Flaherty set up my rotation up for 2020 and beyond. Best of luck to the Indians.

[Milwaukee Brewers]

docced