The Blue Jays traded Brandon League and Johermyn Chavez to the Mariners for Brandon Morrow. Hugo posted this
Ken Rosenthal reported last night that the Jays traded sometimes-brilliant, occasionally frustrating pitcher Brandon League to the Seattle Mariners for sometimes-brilliant, occasionally frustrating pitcher Brandon Morrow. The Jays also included a “prospect” in the deal, but we don’t know who that is – although, according to MLB Trade Rumors, it should be someone pretty good to make it a fair deal.
Chavez seemed like an okay prospect then, but he didn’t pan out. He never made it to the majors. A couple of years ago, he played for an independent league team and played in the Venezuelan Winter League until last year.
Brandon League was a favourite of mine, and Hugo liked him too:
Leaguer, if this is it, it’s been fun having you on the Jays. You often amazed, occasionally frustrated with your crazy sinker and constantly morphing mechanics. Your tattoos gave hope to Asian Americans everywhere that they could be considered cool. Good luck, and enjoy the West Coast!
Anytime you can trade a reliever for a starter….you should do it. League turned into a decent closer, putting up 52 saves and a 3.26 ERA in 2.5 seasons for the M’s. They traded him to the Dodgers for a couple of minor leaguers. League was good in LA for the second half of the 2012 season. He got a $22.5 million 3-year contract (with a vesting option for a 4th year). His 2013 season didn’t go so well. He lost his closer job and put up a 5.30 ERA, becoming the mop-up man by the end of the season. He was better in 2014, putting up a 2.57 ERA in 63 innings. He was injured in 2015 and released in July. The Royals signed him in January 2017 but released him early in the spring.
