Injuries & Moves: Blue Jays deal for RHP Thompson
Check again for Blue Jays transactions and harm updates all through the offseason.
Jan. 10: RHP Zach Thompson acquired by Blue Jays, OF Chavez Young traded to Pirates
Thompson is coming off a 5.18 ERA with the Pirates in 2022 over 121 2/3 innings, which included 22 begins and a handful of lengthy reduction appearances. The 29-year-old right-hander ought to provide the Blue Jays some beginning depth, if wanted, within the higher Minors, on condition that he has choices remaining. Along with the latest signing of Drew Hutchison to a Minor League deal, Toronto is starting to construct out that beginning depth group, which thinned at instances in ‘22.
Young, the Bahamian outfielder who was beloved all through the group for his pace, protection and character, spent 2022 with Triple-A Buffalo. He has proven flashes, at one level rating on the Blue Jays’ Top 30 prospects listing, however he has been left simply off of the 40-man roster lately. He ought to be a higher alternative in Pittsburgh.
Jan. 10: 1B/DH Brandon Belt indicators one-year, $9.3 million deal
The 34-year-old was a mainstay with the Giants for 12 years however now joins the Blue Jays as a veteran bat who will issue closely into the DH reps and again up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. at first base when wanted. Belt is coming off a down yr, which ended early as a consequence of arthroscopic knee surgical procedure, however he has a protracted observe document of getting on base and hitting right-handed pitching. His lefty bat is one other welcome addition to a Blue Jays lineup that immediately has a a lot completely different look than it did simply months in the past.
Jan. 10: RHP Julian Merryweather designated for project
This was considerably of a shock on the floor, given Merryweather’s velocity and the flashes of upside he’s proven, however the numbers haven’t adopted. In 52 2/3 profession innings, slowed by a number of accidents, the 31-year-old owns a 5.64 ERA and wasn’t capable of earn a higher-leverage function in ’22. This continues to be an arm the Blue Jays would like to hold within the group if attainable, although, as they proceed to focus on extra upside of their fringe bullpen depth.
Jan. 6: Blue Jays signal C Rob Brantly, RHP Julian Fernández, LHP Paul Fry, RHP Drew Hutchison and RHP Casey Lawrence to Minor League offers
This group, introduced in to supply depth earlier than camp, will all be in Major League Spring Training with the Blue Jays. Hutchison’s identify instantly jumps out, because the right-hander, now 32, was the Blue Jays’ Opening Day starter in 2015. He most just lately pitched for the Tigers, posting a 4.53 ERA over 105 1/3 innings final season, and can provide the ’23 Blue Jays some rotation depth ought to accidents come up.
Fernández, 27, is one other piece of bullpen depth with upside for Toronto, capable of contact 100 mph however nonetheless seeking to put all of it collectively after a short MLB debut in ’21. Fry, a lefty, can even provide some bullpen depth after pitching 5 MLB seasons, whereas Lawrence returns as Triple-A depth following an excellent ’22 season with Buffalo.
Brantly, the 33-year-old veteran, makes loads of sense as a Triple-A choice for the Blue Jays, ready behind Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk following the Gabriel Moreno commerce. He’s appeared in 135 profession MLB video games and 887 Minor League video games.
Jan. 5: RHP Junior Fernández claimed off waivers from the Yankees
The 25-year-old was just lately designated for project by the Yankees after pitching for each the Cardinals and Pirates in ’22, posting a 2.41 ERA with 14 strikeouts and 12 walks over 18 2/3 innings. Fernández’s most important enchantment is a sinking fastball that averaged 98.7 mph, and in a Toronto bullpen that’ has lacked velocity relative to the remainder of baseball at instances, that’s a welcome quantity. If Fernández lasts by way of Spring Training with the Blue Jays, he profiles as organizational bullpen depth with some upside.
Dec. 23: Blue Jays commerce C Gabriel Moreno, OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to D-backs for OF Daulton Varsho
Varsho is strictly what the Blue Jays have regarded for as a left-handed outfielder with offensive upside who’s a gifted defender. In reality, his 18 Outs Above Average led all MLB outfielders in 2022, so alongside Kevin Kiermaier, this outfield ought to be distinctive. The 26-year-old, who comes with 4 years of membership management, hit .235 with 27 homers and a .745 OPS final season.
The worth was steep, although. Moreno is Toronto’s former No. 1 prospect and a Top 10 MLB prospect, seen by many as a possible perennial All-Star. Gurriel is a free agent after this season, however he’s one other proficient piece leaving this roster. Toronto is predicted to proceed searching for one other outfielder so as to add to this group, however that is formally the Blue Jays’ huge swing of the offseason.
Dec. 23: LHP Anthony Kay claimed off waivers by Cubs
Kay was designated for project per week in the past when the Blue Jays signed Chris Bassitt, coming off a tricky 2022 season after he confirmed some promise in years prior. Kay wasn’t anticipated to issue into Toronto’s beginning depth in ’23, however the group will nonetheless must pad that group to guard in opposition to accidents.
Nov. 10: LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (Tommy John surgical procedure) reinstated from 60-day IL
This is strictly procedural, and Ryu will nonetheless open the 2023 season on the 60-day IL as he recovers from Tommy John surgical procedure. The subsequent main replace on his restoration course of ought to come when Spring Training opens in February.
Oct. 27: OF George Springer undergoes proper elbow surgical procedure to take away bone spur
The elbow had bothered Springer by way of a lot of the 2022 season, notably when he was throwing. This led to a rise in DH days for Springer, who additionally handled quite a lot of different accidents by way of the season. Springer additionally left the ultimate recreation of the season, Game 2 of the Wild Card Series, on a medical cart after struggling a concussion, so few gamers on this roster want a full offseason greater than him.
The Blue Jays totally anticipate Springer to be prepared for the beginning of Spring Training in February, and his well being might be a high precedence in ’23. Springer’s all-out taking part in fashion tends to rack up the bumps and bruises, but it surely’s additionally a part of what makes him nice. You can anticipate one other replace on Springer’s total well being within the new yr because the opening of camp in Dunedin, Fla., approaches.
