The Jays surprised many people in trading Oh for lower-level prospects rather than targeting players closer to major-league ready. In particular, Chad Spanberger, the headliner of the trade, has only about 650 minor league at-bats and was playing at the Rockies’ Low-A affiliate (the Asheville Tourists – don’t you love minor league ball club names?).
So why Chad? There were many teams looking for relief help, so the Jays likely had several trade options. What did they see in Spanberger that caught their eye?
Start with the usual caveat. In discussing any 22-year-old with only ~650 professional plate appearances (at rookie level and low-A ball, yet) you are talking about a work in process.