The Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals have agreed to a trade, with the Nationals sending reliever Drew Storen to the Blue Jays in exchange for outfielder Ben Revere. The deal, first reported by Jon Heyman, includes a player to be named later headed to Washington.
For Toronto, it's a strong upgrade for a bullpen that already has young hurler Roberto Osuna. In Storen, they receive a 28-year-old righty who served as the Nationals' closer for much of the season before they acquired Jonathan Papelbon. In 58 innings last season, Storen registered a 3.44 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and converted 29 of 34 save opportunities.
Storen was coming off a phenomenal 2014 season with the Nationals where he posted a 1.12 ERA and 0.98 WHIP, but spent most of his 56 1/3 innings pitched as a set up man. Storen, who is in the final season of arbitration, wanted out of Washington after losing the closer's role, but might not be happier in Toronto where he could set up for Osuna.
Washington receives the help in center field they were badly seeking. Revere brings a real threat of speed in the outfield and on the basepaths along with a career .328 on-base percentage. In 2015 between the Blue Jays and Philadelphia Phillies, Revere stole 31 bases and finished with a career-high .342 OBP.
The addition of the 27-year-old center fielder bumps out Michael Taylor, who hit 14 home runs and stole 16 bases in his rookie season but also struck out in 158 of his 472 at bats and just a .282 OBP. Taylor will likely serve as the Nationals' fourth outfielder, offering power and speed off the bench with the versatility to play all three outfield positions.