The Yankees traded LHP Scott Wiggins to the Blue Jays for OF Raul Mondesi on Monday. Unlike many trades where teams collect significant future value when they unload high-priced players, Toronto was merely happy to find someone to take the majority of Mondesi's large contract off their hands for the next two seasons and didn't require a lot more.

Mondesi hasn't performed at levels that entice teams to assume his $11M salary this season and $13M next year. A .224 BA doesn't make for a hot commodity, though his .435 SLG attracts some attention. Mondesi compiled those numbers, along with a .301 OBP, in 299 AB this season on 67 H, 16 2B, 1 3B, and 15 HR with a 31:57 BB:K and 9/11 SB%.

Of course the Yankees are hoping that wearing pinstripes will inspire him to greatness, though they'll be pleased if he simply continues to produce at his current level. Management has been unhappy with the production of Shane Spencer and John Vander Wal in right field this season. Spencer is hitting .247 with a .338 OPB and .390 SLG in 182 AB on 45 H, 9 2B, 1 3B, and 5 HR with a 22:44 BB:K and 0/2 SB%. Vander Wal has 40 H, 13 2B, 1 3B, and 3 HR with a 15:37 BB:K and 1/2 SB% for a .278 BA, .344 OBP, and .444 SLG.

Frankly, there's no guarantee that New York will receive more production from Mondesi than from the Spencer/Vander Wal platoon. He will provide them with better defense and more speed but presuming any substantial upgrade will result from the switch is a risky proposition. On the plus side, hitting lower in the lineup should help. Several people have pointed out that Mondesi struggles under pressure, so he should benefit from playing for New York where he won't be the guy. I'm not sure there's necessarily less pressure on him playing for the Yankees, as he was brought in to put the team over the top and the city's fans have high expectations, but it is a new kind of pressure he might be better equipped to handle.

I've developed a deep distaste for the Yankees over the years, but it has more to do with the way the media fawns over the team rather than their success and willingness to spend money. While I've no objection to teams spending money, I dislike seeing it tossed around carelessly. The Yankees generally buy quality; otherwise they'd be the Baltimore Orioles. Trading for Mondesi rather than one of the other Blue Jay outfielders, Randy Winn, or Cliff Floyd indicates a desire to hold onto some of their farm talent, which I respect. Any problem I have with this deal lies in concern over whether the money they've spent will add to the team. Considering they really only lose cash in this trade if it works out poorly, Yankee fans shouldn't worry as long as they don't hesitate to bring in another gun if this one misfires.

Toronto will still pay $6M of Mondesi's salary next season. Although they weren't looking for talent compensation in this deal, I was a little disappointed in the player the Blue Jays picked up. New York drafted Wiggins out of Northern Kentucky University in the 7th round of the 1997 draft. He spent the remainder of that season in the New York-Pennsylvania League. The following season he spent time in the A South Atlantic League, A+ Florida State League, and the Short-Season Gulf Coast League before settling in for a full season at Greensboro in the SALly League in 1999. New York promoted him to A+ Tampa in the FSL in 2000 and he stayed there through 2001 with a brief call-up to AA last season.

Wiggins was originally a starter but moved into relief in the last couple years. The role change has given him a substantial skill boost so that he possess definite promise as a left-handed reliever. In 27.2 IP for AA Norwich in the Eastern League, he has a 26:9 K:BB with 19 H and 1 HR allowed. After at least a half season of AAA time, Wiggins should contribute to the Toronto pen.

He's already 26, which would bother me a lot more if we were looking at a position player, a starter, or even a right-handed reliever, as any RHP could close. However, as a left-handed reliever, he shouldn't be with the team beyond his arbitration years, as he'll become over-priced if he's successful, so Toronto can use him through his prime and then let him go.

In addition to freeing payroll, the Blue Jays cleared up a crowded OF/DH situation and a potential clubhouse problem while making room on the roster for players who are part of the organization's future. Mondesi disparaged new manager Carlos Tosca in the media after Tosca benched him for arriving late to team meeting before last Tuesday's game. He reportedly didn't know of the meeting because he was ill last Monday and therefore felt the benching was unfair. He stepped over the line when he questioned Tosca's qualifications due to his lack of professional playing time and previous major league managerial experience, earning himself a second day on the bench. The Blue Jays won Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay 20-11 without him, so it wasn't hard to leave him out of the lineup, though they lost 4-2 to the Devil Rays on Wednesday.

One wouldn't think that having four outfielders with good fielding skills in addition to starting-quality offensive production would be a problem, but it caused some difficulties in Toronto with no one wanting to be the DH, even though it seems to make sense to rest everyone occasionally given the homefield turf. Trading Mondesi allows the Blue Jays to set their outfield and use the DH for other players.

The Blue Jays plan to promote Josh Phelps to fill Mondesi's roster spot. He has some plate discipline problems with a 32:83 BB:K in 257 AB, but his current and potential power is impressive. The 24-year-old leads the AAA International League in home runs with one for every year of his life. He also has a score of doubles and a triple among his 75 H to give him a .292 BA and .658 SLG with a .380 OBP. Although his defense behind the plate has improved, Toronto doesn't need him to catch now, so he will DH. As the Blue Jays also have other catching prospects with better defensive skills, Phelps may receive most of his playing time with the club as a designated hitter.