The Blue Jays have shipped 24-year old righty swinging catcher Robinzon Diaz to the Pirates to complete the Jose Bautista trade. Diaz was the Blue Jays’ #13 prospect according to Baseball America heading into this season so the Jays paid top dollar for Bautista who better produce for them. Diaz played in 55 games at three levels in the minor leagues this season and he is 54 for 192 (.281 avg, .712 OPS) with 19 runs scored, 4 homers and 24 RBIs. Diaz also played in 1 game for the Blue Jays this season and he was 0 for 4 with 1 whiff. This was a lot for the Blue Jays to pay for a player who has never come close to living up to his potential.

The Blue Jays have sent righty starting pitcher Shaun Marcum to AAA and they have recalled 30-year old lefty John Parrish to replace him in the starting rotation. Marcum’s overall numbers are pretty good for the Blue Jays as he started 22 games for them in which he was 8-6 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. But, Marcum missed a month due to a elbow problem and when he returned he was not the same pitcher. In 7 starts since Marcum’s return from the D.L. he was 3-2 with a 6.19 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP. Parrish pitched in 7 games (4 starts) earlier this season for the Blue Jays and he was 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. But, he has been really effective in AAA this season and the Jays think he can do the same for them. In 17 games (13 starts) in AAA ball this season, Parrish is 10-1 with a 2.97 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP.

The Blue Jays have placed outfielder Brad Wilkerson on the 15-day disabled list to make room for Jose Bautista on the active roster as he has back spasms. Wilkerson has played in 74 games for the Blue Jays this season and he is 42 for 195 (.215 avg, .624 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 3 homers and 21 RBIs. Wilkerson might have played his last game for the Blue Jays who will likely call up some players after September 1.

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired 27-year old righty swinging 3B/OF Jose Bautista from the Pirates for a player to be named later. The Blue Jays are trying to finish this season strongly and they needed someone to replace injured Scott Rolen and they’re hoping that Bautista in that guy. Bautista played in 107 games for the Pirates this season and he was 76 for 314 (.242 avg, .729 OPS) with 38 runs scored, 12 homers and 44 RBIs. Bautista has now played in 441 games in his major league career and he is 327 for 1,362 (.240 avg, .725 OPS) with 180 runs scored, 43 homers, 161 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.

32-year old lefty reliever Scott Downs has been awesome this season for the Blue Jays. He has appeared in 53 games (0 starts) for the Blue Jays this season and he is 0-2 with 5 saves, a 1.25 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Downs has only allowed 41 hits in 57.2 innings this season which shows how dominating he has been. Downs has really been a good pitcher since he arrived in Toronto especially after he was moved to the bullpen fulltime. In his 4 years with the Blue Jays, Downs has pitched in 219 games (18 starts) and he is 14-9 with 7 saves, a 3.20 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Look for him to continue to excel in his current role. Whoever gave the Blue Jays the scouting report that caused them to acquire him must have really seen through his first three years in the majors. Prior to pitching for the Blue Jays, Downs had started 32 games in which he was 7-10 with a 5.41 ERA and a 1.67 WHIP.