Scutaro traded to Blue Jays

[Providence A's]

The Official Site of Oakland Athletics: Official Info: Press Release

The Oakland Athletics announced today the club has traded utility infielder Marco Scutaro to the Toronto Blue Jays for Minor League right-handed pitchers Kristian Bell and Graham Godfrey.

Scutaro was due to make over $2 mil in arby so I'm not surprised that he was moved for something. Forst said both pitchers will compete for spots in AA. We'll see.

[love_that_reefer]

Seems like he always had a big hit for the A's last season. That might have been Ellis but pretty sure it was Scutaro.

[Providence A's]

no, Scutaro did have some big hits for the A's over the years that he was with them. He had that game ending homer off Rivera early in the year. The A's aren't going to pay $2-$3 mil for a utility guy when they have Murphy who is cheaper, better defensively, faster, younger, and a slightly better hitter (.693 OPS for Scutaro and .731 OPS for Murphy). They both can play 2B, 3B, and SS so it makes perfect sense from the A's standpoint even if the two specs turn out be nothing. We probably would have released him anyway...or not offered him arby.

[love_that_reefer]

Blue Jays acquired infielder Marco Scutaro from the Athletics RHP Graham Godfrey and RHP Kristian Bell.
It looks like the A's are already trying to cut costs. Scutaro was likely to make $2 million-$2.5 million next year, and that was too much for a utilityman, even one who has been as valuable as Scutaro the last few years. Scutaro has received at least 300 at-bats in four straight seasons and posted an OPS in the 690-750 range each time. Compare that to John McDonald, who has a career 595 OPS. The Jays will still go with McDonald as their primary shortstop initially, but Scutaro could win some time there as the year goes on. He's also a better option as a backup at second base and third base than what the Jays had last season.

Athletics acquired RHP Graham Godfrey and RHP Kristian Bell from the Blue Jays for infielder Marco Scutaro.
The A's wanted to go cheaper with their next utilityman and found a match with frequent trading partner J.P. Ricciardi. In this case, we think Ricciardi got the better of the deal. Godfrey was fairly well regarded entering last season, but he gave up 132 hits while striking out just 74 in 110 2/3 IP for low Single-A Lansing. He has pretty good command of a low-90s fastball, but he lacks a changeup to keep left-handers off balance. Bell, 23, had a 5.33 ERA in 11 starts and 11 relief appearances for Single-A Dunedin. Like Godfrey, he generates more grounders than most. Still, there isn't much else to like about him.

Here's some more info on the move.

[Halladay_is_God]

JP still going back to old wishing well known as Beane

[hot_corner_gurl]

I'm not all that surprised. Like you've said, he was making an awful lot, and since we are a bit on the "cheap" side, we had to do something about it. But bummer, no more of his late-inning heroics and special chants in the Coliseum.

[A'sDiehard]

JP still going back to old wishing well known as Beane

I don't know he's a good player off the bench and he won quite a few games for the A's with walk-off hits. I don't know who's on your team but hopefully he can help you guys out. I know the Menechico (sp?) thing didn't work out too well but Marco is a better player.