Trade Central: Jays Add Reliever In Grilli

THE DEAL

In need of some help for the bullpen, Toronto acquired 14-year veteran righthander Jason Grilli. Toronto’s relievers have an ERA of 3.89, which ranks 16th in the majors, but the Jays’ bullpen has allowed 41 percent of inherited runners to score, which ranks 28th of 30 teams.

Sean Ratcliffe, a Toronto native drafted in the 18th round in 2013 by the Jays, heads to Atlanta.

BRAVES ACQUIRE
Sean Ratcliffe, rhp
Age: 21

The Ajax, Ontario, native was a catcher for most of his amateur career before converting to the mound the spring before the 2013 draft. A member of Team Canada signed by scout Jamie Lehman, Lehman said in a radio interview that Ratcliffe was a physical catcher with some power in his lefthanded swing, but his upside was on the mound. Lehman turned him in after he saw Ratcliffe touch 93 mph while throwing for Team Canada and said he showed a decent slider later that spring. A righthanded pitcher, Ratcliffe is still raw on the mound—as evidenced by the lack of command he showed at times in 2015—but shows good arm strength and is projectable at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds with room for strength gains. He’s a good athlete, Lehman said. He’s yet to pitch this season and will likely head to short-season ball when it picks up next month.

Year	Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
2015	Vancouver (NWL)	SS	2	2	3.60	22	40	36	19	16	1	16	30

BLUE JAYS ACQUIRE
Jason Grilli, rhp
Age: 21

Grilli, 39, who has struck out nearly a batter per inning in his career, has struck out 23 in 17 innings this season, but has walked 13 and has a 5.29 ERA. Last season, he was a revelation for the Braves, going 3-4, 2.94 with 24 saves and 45 strikeouts in 33 2/3 innings. This season, his fastball and slider velocity, per FanGraphs, are each down about two miles per hour, which could explain some of his lack of effectiveness. He figures to work in middle relief for the Blue Jays, although general manager Ross Atkins told BA correspondent Shi Davidi, “We’ll see. It’s really going to depend on how he’s throwing the ball.”