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It might be the last move the Phillies make at what has been a busy trade deadline, but one that was not unexpected.
Ben Revere will be traded to Blue Jays. @JSalisburyCSN first had Totonto's interest in Revere.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 31, 2015
Confirming what others have reported: Revere deal between #Phillies and #BlueJays agreed upon. Teams just reviewing medicals.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2015
In return the Phillies receive two minor league pitching prospects.
The Phillies have traded OF Ben Revere and cash considerations to TOR in exchange for RHP's Jimmy Cordero & Alberto Tirado.
— Kevin Cooney (@KevinCooney) July 31, 2015
Alberto Tirado was rated as Toronto's 9th-best prospect according to MLB.com. Here is their scouting report on him.
Tirado's powerful right arm has enticed scouts since his amateur days in the Dominican Republic. But he has struggled to harness his stuff and will have to sort out his control issues as he advances in the Minor Leagues.
Tirado throws his fastball in the low to mid 90s and is capable of touching 98 mph. His slider and changeup both show promise, though both pitches remain inconsistent.
Tirado never has thrown many strikes as a professional. His wildness and smaller frame may make him better suited to be a reliever in the long run, and Toronto moved him to that role in high Class A in 2015.
Jimmy Cordero was not ranked among the Jays' 30 best prospects, but is a 23-year-old flame-thrower who has the ability to hit triple digits with his fastball but is still working on his command.
Scout friend on 2 arms Phillies got from Toronto. "both legit arms. Both throw EZ 95. Need to figure it out, but legit arms."
— Jim Salisbury (@JSalisburyCSN) July 31, 2015
Revere has been with the Phillies since 2013 when he was acquired before the season from the Minnesota Twins for pitcher Vance Worley. In 388 plate appearances this season Revere is hitting .298/.334/.374 for an OPS of .709, a career high, with 24 stolen bases.
Revere does not draw bases on balls, as pitchers are not worried about his power. However, Revere gets a lot of hits, 184 last year and 109 so far this season. And in his first two seasons he hit .305 and .306, both among NL leaders. He fell one stolen base short of becoming the first Phillie since Ed Delahanty in the 1890s to hit at least .300 and steal 50 bases in the same season.
Ben Revere reportedly headed to @BlueJays Players w/ a .290 BA each of last 4 seasons: Revere, Posey, McCutchen, M. Cabrera (min. 300 PA)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2015
Ben Revere makes contact on 90.3% of swings, 3rd-highest in MLB 144 players have more strikeouts than Revere has swings and misses (59)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 31, 2015
So the Jays are getting a player that will hit .300, steal a lot of bags, and play reasonably good defense in a corner outfield position. His throwing arm is laughable, but is not quite the burden in left field that it was in center the last couple years.
He is an excellent acquisition for the Blue Jays, who are trying to keep up with the Astros and Royals in the arms race that has become the National League.
As for the Phils, moving Revere clears a logjam in the Phillies outfield. Odubel Herrera, Domonic Brown, Jeff Francoeur and Cody Asche will now all battle for playing time, with minor leaguers Jon Danks and Aaron Altherr also a possibility to join the 25-man roster at some point.
Goodbye, Ben. I will always remember how you allowed me to witness history once before. We'll always have these memories.