Demoted RHRP Scott Roehl to Mahoning Valley (SSA) from Lake County (A-)



Traded 1B Eric Crozier (AAA) to the Toronto Blue Jays for 1B/C Josh Phelps



Interesting move from the Toronto end. Phelps has massive power potential (think a right-handed Russ Branyan), but cannot hit right-handers to save his life. I don’t understand the rush to get him out of town, but I’ll certainly take him. This move allows Phelps to platoon with Ben Broussard, and turns lefty-masher Lou Merloni into a super-sub. As for Eric Crozier, this gives the Jays a small insurance policy in case Carlos Delgado leaves via free agency. I think he can be a decent major-league player, and he’ll probably get an extended look in Toronto.



Eric Wedge now has a wealth of lineup options to choose from. For example, he could go with this against left-handers:



2B Ronnie Belliard

SS Omar Vizquel

RF Matt Lawton

CA Victor Martinez

DH Travis Hafner

3B Lou Merloni/Casey Blake

1B Josh Phelps

LF Coco Crisp

CF Grady Sizemore



and this against right-handers:



LF Matt Lawton

SS Omar Vizquel

DH Travis Hafner

CA Victor Martinez

1B Ben Broussard

3B Casey Blake

2B Ronnie Belliard

RF Jody Gerut

CF Grady Sizemore



Things get even more interesting when Aaron Boone and Ryan Ludwick come back.