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The Astros added another big bat on Saturday after acquiring Aledmys Diaz of the Blue Jays for potential pitcher Trent Thornton.
OFFICIAL: We acquired RHP Minor League Trent Thornton from @astros in exchange for INF Aledmys Díaz. pic.twitter.com/yJekdHIPZI
– The Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) November 17, 2018
This decision gives assurance to Astros if the shortstop Marwin Gonzalez goes free this winter. In his only season with the Blue Jays, Diaz averaged .263 with 18 homers and 55 RBIs in 130 games. The 28-year-old was acquired by the Cardinals in the final offseason, while the Blue Jays traded their 2016 second-round pick, J. B. Woodman against the 2016 All-Star.
MORE: The Blue Jays are in no hurry to promote the outstanding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the major league
As for the Blue Jays, Thornton is a 25-year-old right-hander who has spent the last four seasons in the Houston farming system. Thornton is the 24th prospect of the Astros, according to MLB Pipeline. The 2015 fifth-round pick started 22 games for Houston-affiliated Fresno Grizzlies of Triple-A in 2018, beating a record of 9-8 and a 4.42 ERA. MLB Pipeline expects Thornton to be an end-of-rotation starter or a reliever. He has not yet started in the majors.
This move allows the Blue Jays to make Troy Tulowitzki a full time start again after missing the 2018 season due to bone fracture injuries. If the Blue Jays decide to play Tulowitzki in a different position, the door opens for the team to call Bo Bichette. The 20-year-old is the No. 2 candidate for the Blue Jays and the # 11 baseball player, according to MLB Pipeline. He spent the 2018 season with New Hampshire Fisher Cats, a subsidiary of Double-A in Toronto.
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