Sports Illustrated Grades Marcus Stroman Trade

Sports Illustrated has a good article which breaks down the Marcus Stroman trade to the New York Mets. Moreover, they like the side the Blue Jays got more than the Mets; while a lot of pundits on twitter liked the side the

To recap, the Blue Jays sent Stroman to Queens for two minor league pitching prospects on Sunday.

The Mets were given a grade of ‘C’ for landing Stroman. The Blue Jays were given a B+, and here’s why.

Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins opted to deepen their minor-league pitching depth and acquired Kay and Woods-Richardson. Five of Toronto’s top 10 prospects are righthanded pitchers, per MLB Pipeline, and three of them aren’t expected to reach the big leagues until 2022. Kay, then, is a welcome addition to that group as a lefthander who should reach the majors next season, despite his struggles this year in Triple-A (6.61 ERA over 31 1/3 innings across seven starts).

The 18-year-old Woods-Richardson could be the better pitcher for the Blue Jays in the long run. He has 97 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings pitched, while allowing just five homers and 17 walks in Class A. At 6’ 3”, 210 pounds, Woods-Richardson has the classic pitcher’s body and has three plus-pitches. If Toronto’s window of contention is a few years away, it will come just in time for him to join the party.

Finally, Blue Jays Nation has a great take on the whole ordeal in this post.

Time will tell on this deal as with all things. But it seems like Kay is the more sure bet for Toronto as they continue to compile a nucleus of young talent.