Busy Blue Jays add speedy outfielder Revere

TORONTO -- Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos acquired what he hopes becomes the final piece of the puzzle by trading for Phillies outfielder Ben Revere on Friday afternoon.

Toronto got Revere and cash considerations from Philly in exchange for right-handed Minor League pitchers Jimmy Cordero and Alberto Tirado.

News of the trade broke less than an hour after Toronto acquired right-handed reliever Mark Lowe from the Mariners. Anthopoulos has overhauled 20 percent of his roster this week through four trades that also saw All-Star shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, ace David Price and veteran right-handed reliever LaTroy Hawkins join the Blue Jays.

"Outfield wasn't high on the priority list," Anthopoulos said during a news conference late Friday afternoon. "I'd say it was more of a want than a need and that's why we wanted to address the rotation first and foremost; that was definitely a need. With Revere, we just stayed in contact, and I think he was the best fit for us and for our team.

"We have so much power all over the place. When your shortstop is a middle-of-the order power hitter, that allows you to carry a left fielder that's not a power hitter. ... The profile that he brings, contact, slap the ball around, run and create havoc on the basepaths, things like that."

Video: Castrovince on Blue Jays acquiring Ben Revere

Revere is an upgrade in left field, and he also provides the lineup with the speed it lost after Jose Reyes was traded to Colorado in the Tulowitzki deal. Revere likely will slot into the bottom of Toronto's lineup as the Blue Jays stick with Tulowitzki, Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion at the top of the order.

The 27-year-old Revere also might not be a rental player. He's under club control through 2017, and he is making $4.1 million in his second year of arbitration eligibility. The native of Atlanta was hitting .298 with 20 extra-base hits and 24 stolen bases in 29 attempts through 96 games this season.

Revere will take over the starting duties in left field against right-handers. Danny Valencia likely will still start vs. lefties, and the status of fourth outfielder Ezequiel Carrera remains in limbo. Chris Colabello, who spent quite a bit of time in left field this season, will continue to see playing time at first base, along with Justin Smoak.

"A guy like Ben Revere, when [Michael] Saunders went down, he brings an element to our lineup that we don't have," Anthopoulos said. "Contact bat, with speed, that's normally the best combination unless you can get contact with power, which is almost impossible to find. But contact with speed is huge, left-handed and range. The role would be corner outfield, left field and having range in the outfield. He has done a very good job in the corners."