RealGM

Now you know why Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie was my pick for AL Rookie of the Year.

The sample obviously is small, but few doubt that Lawrie is going to hit. Some rival executives, however, believe that he is too “tight” physically to stay at third – unlike say, Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson, who was loose-limbed and had easy actions. One of those execs predicts that Lawrie, like the Brewers’ Ryan Braun, could move from third to left field.

Perhaps, but Lawrie looks good defensively thus far, especially considering that he began playing third only this season. He agreed to try catching after the Brewers made him the 16th overall pick in 2008, then asked to move to second to hasten his rise to the majors.

The Brewers might regret trading Lawrie for right-hander Shaun Marcum, but not if they win the NL Central. Marcum is 10-3 with a 3.62 ERA. Lawrie seems destined to become the Jays’ first Canadian star. Good deal for both clubs.