After the blockbuster trade, Montreal will welcome shortstop Reynaldo Serrano and outfielder Ziya Türkes. Vancouver's return includes four prospects: first baseman Juan Hernández, outfielder Phillip Higgins, starting pitcher Abdul-Halim bin Mansur, and closer Chris Parker. In addition, Vancouver will receive two million dollars.
Reynaldo Serrano
Serrano, 26 years old, bats from the left side. He has spent his entire professional career with Vancouver, having been their first-round selection in the 2056 amateur draft. With three years of college experience, the Mounties rushed him to the big leagues. He took his first swings in the BBA the same season that he was drafted. He is now a veteran with over four years of BBA experience. In 2057, he was runner-up for the Joe Gillstrom Newcomer of the Year.
Serrano has a career batting line of .271/.293/.430 (97 OPS+). He has played most of his innings at second base, where he won a Yogi Zimmer Diamond Glove Award last season. It is anticipated that Montreal will move him to shortstop. Scouts agree that he has the range, arm, hands, and footwork to make the move.
Club sources note that Serrano will benefit from the roomy dimensions of Ubisoft Field, which promote extra base hits. With plus-plus gap power, they expect his slugging percentage to jump. They also intimate that Blazers coaches will work with him to turn his natural speed and baserunning instincts into increased stolen bases.
Türkes, 28 years old, is much more than a throw-in. Montreal has struggled to obtain production from its designated hitters. Although he is a perfectly capable corner outfielder with a plus-plus arm, the expectation is that the Blazers will play him as their full-time DH. Alternatively, they may move their current right fielder Roosevelt Davis to DH and play Türkes in right field.
Ziya Türkes
Türkes is hitting .301/.326/.504 (135 OPS+) this season. Like Serrano, he has plus-plus power into the gaps and should benefit from his new home field. Originally signed out of Turkey as an international amateur free agent by Nashville in 2050, Montreal will be his fourth organization.
Juan Hernández
The jewel of the deal for Vancouver is 20-year-old first baseman Juan Hernández, who was Montreal's fourth round selection in the 2060 amateur draft. In the latest Blazers Prospect Handbook, he is ranked third. Like Serrano, Hernández played three years of college and flew through the Blazers system. Scouts project him with a plus-plus hit tool and plus home run power.
Phillip Higgins
Outfielder Phillip Higgins, also 20, was Montreal's first round pick in the 2059 amateur draft. With one year of college, Higgins dominated the lower minors in his first season, earning a promotion to AA last season. He projects with plus-plus gap power, a plus hit tool, and above average power. He is capable corner outfielder with average speed.
Abdul-Halim bin Mansur
Starting pitcher Abdul-Halim bin Mansur is a 23-year-old southpaw with an elite ability to keep the ball in the park. He has a four-pitch repertoire that includes a fastball, sinker, slider, and changeup. He can pitch deep into games. Currently in AA, he is 2-3 in nine starts with a 3.81 ERA (112 ERA+). He was signed by Montreal out of Kuwait in 2054.
Chris Parker
Closer Chris Parker, also 20, was the sixth-round selection out of high school by Montreal in the 2057 amateur draft. This season in AA, he has made nine appearances with two saves and a 2.19 ERA (195 ERA+).
