JAYS GET OF SAUNDERS FOR P HAPP
The Toronto Blue Jays acquired outfielder Michael Saunders from the Seattle Mariners for pitcher J.A. Happ.
What does it give the Toronto Blue Jays
Canadian outfielder Saunders is NOT the left-handed power bat the Blue Jays are looking for to place between the likes of {P Jose Bautista}, {P Edwin Encarnacion} and newcomer {P Josh Donaldson}, but he is a versatile player who should at least form a platoon in 2015. Saunders is athletic and talented enough to play center field (if top prospect {P Dalton Pompey} isn't ready for prime time), or could help replace free agent {P Melky Cabrera} as part of a platoon in left field (perhaps with {P Kevin Pillar}). Toronto had enough young starting pitching depth to move Happ at this time. This move helps fill a gaping hole.
What does it give the Seattle Mariners
In Happ, the Mariners land a pretty good left-handed starting pitcher whose numbers may improve moving to spacious Safeco Field in 2015. He gives Seattle six big-league starters, so it's a good bet you'll see more moves from the M's this off-season. Moving out Saunders suggests Seattle will look for more help in the outfield, though newcomer {P Nelson Cruz} may be a solution in right field (unless he plays mostly as the DH in '15). With Happ now on board, left-handed starters {P James Paxton} and {P Roenis Elias}, plus righty {P Taijuan Walker}, all become trade candidates this winter.
Fantasy impact
This deal helps both Saunders and Happ from a fantasy perspective, while youngsters Pompey and Walker may suffer a bit in the short term. That said, the latter two are still much better keeper options than the former pair. Specifically, look for Saunders to get a power boost playing in Toronto and Happ to improve his earned-run average as a Mariner.
