The Blue Jays have acquired 30-year old lefty swinging 1B Mike Jacobs from the Mets for a player to be named later. Jacobs has played in 86 games in AAA-ball this season and he is 88 of 339 (.260 avg, .791 OPS) with 53 runs scored, 15 homers and 57 RBIs. He also played in 7 games earlier this season for the Mets and he was 5 of 24 (.208 avg, .671 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 homer and 2 RBIs. Jacobs has now played in 556 games in his six years in the majors and he is 489 of 1,930 (.253 avg, .787 OPS) with 244 runs scored, 100 homers and 310 RBIs. The Blue Jays will likely use Jacobs at AAA in Brett Wallace’s old spot. The Blue Jays could give Jacobs a call to the majors if they move Lyle Overbay in a trade this weekend.

The Blue Jays have acquired 19-year old lefty swinging outfielder Anthony Gose from the Astros for 23-year old lefty swinging 1B Brett Wallace. Gose was the Phillies’ #6 ranked prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Gose has played in 103 games in A-ball this year and he was 110 of 418 (.263 avg, .710 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 4 homers, 20 RBIs and 36 stolen bases. He has now played in 245 games in three years in the minors and he is 252 of 967 (.261 avg, .690 OPS) with 143 runs scored, 6 homers, 75 RBIs and 115 stolen bases. Gose is one of the fastest players in all of minor league baseball but he didn’t come cheap. Brett Wallace played in 95 games in AAA-ball for the Blue Jays this year and he was 116 of 385 (.301 avg, .868 OPS) with 64 runs scored, 18 homers and 61 RBIs.

The Blue Jays have designated 31-year old righty swinging infielder Nick Green for assignment. Green played in 9 games for the Jays this season and he was 2 of 13 (.154 avg, .368 OPS) with 2 runs scored and 1 RBI. The Blue Jays needed Green’s roster spot to activate 28-year old righty starting pitcher Shaun Marcum from the D.L. He will be starting today’s game against the Orioles. Marcum has started 17 games this season and he is 7-4 with a 3.44 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP.

UPDATE: (7/24/2010) - Nick Green has rejected a minor league assignment from the Blue Jays making him a free agent.

The Blue Jays have acquired 27-year old righty swinging shortstop Yunel Escobar and 25-year old lefty starting pitcher Jo-Jo Reyes from the Braves for 33-year old righty swinging shortstop Alex Gonzalez, 20-year old lefty reliever Tim Collins and 20-year old right swinging 2B/SS Tyler Pastornicky. Escobar was struggling for the Braves this year but he has a nice upside. Escobar has played in 75 games for the Braves this year and he was 62 of 261 (.238 avg, .618 OPS) with 28 runs scored, 0 homers, 19 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. He has now played in 446 games in four years in the majors and he is 472 of 1,622 (.291 avg, .771 OPS) with 242 runs scored, 29 homers, 183 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. Jo-Jo Reyes only pitched in 1 game (0 starts) for the Braves this year and he was 0-0 with a 24.30 ERA and a 3.90 WHIP for them. He has now pitched in 41 games (37 starts) in four years with the Braves and he is 5-15 with a 6.40 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP. The Blue Jays hope that Reyes can help them down the road but Escobar will be the starting shortstop going forward.

Alex Gonzalez had a outstanding year for the Blue Jays but they wanted to get younger which was the reason for this trade. Gonzalez played in 85 games for the Blue Jays this year and he was 85 of 328 (.259 avg, .793 OPS) with 47 runs scored, 17 homers and 50 RBIs. Tim Collins was the Jays’ #19 prospect heading into this season and he was showing why in AA-ball. Collins pitched in 35 games (0 starts) in AA-ball for the Braves this year and he was 1-0 with 9 saves, a 2.51 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP. He whiffed 73 batters while only giving up 27 hits in 43 innings in AA this year showing just how nasty he is. Tyler Pastornicky was the Jays’ #17 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. He played in 77 games in A-ball for the Jays this year and he was 74 of 287 (.258 avg, .724 OPS) with 50 runs scored, 6 homers, 35 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.

If the Blue Jays can get Yunel Escobar focused and motivated I like this trade for them. But if he gets lazy, which often drove Braves’ manager Bobby Cox crazy, this trade will be a win for the Braves.

The Blue Jays have recently traded 31-year old righty swinging outfielder Chris Aguila to the Phillies for future considerations. Aguila played in 44 games in AAA-ball for the Blue Jays this year and he was 44 of 160 (.275 avg, .802 OPS) with 30 runs scored, 4 homers, 21 RBIs and 3 stolen bases. Aguila is a .230 career hitter in the majors over 149 games so the Jays won’t miss him too much if at all.