The Génesis Cabrera trade was probably the best Blue Jays trade of the season.

This is the 40-man Roster Review, in which we’re going to take a look back at each player on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster, and how they performed in 2023, as well as their outlook for 2024.
Where were you on July 21, 2023, when the Blue Jays traded for the left-handed pitcher? Personally, I was in Goderich, Ontario (more specifically Auburn, Ontario), camping without my phone, so I didn’t know this trade happened for another few days.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired LHP Génesis Cabrera from the Cardinals in exchange for Minor League catcher Sammy Hernandez. 
To make room on the 40-man roster, RHP Trent Thornton has been designated for assignment. <a href="https://t.co/4APL4AHT0y">pic.twitter.com/4APL4AHT0y</a>
&mdash; Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) <a href="https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1682448064626462720?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 21, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
By that time, Cabrera, who was 26 years old at the time, already pitched twice and had a line of 3 IP, 1 H, 0ER, 0 BB, 3 K against the Los Angeles Dodgers of all teams. In fact, from the first pitch he threw on July 24 to the end of August, Cabrera didn’t allow a single run in 16.1 innings pitched, walking just two and striking out 12.
September and the first day in October were rough, as he pitched 7.1 innings and had an 8.59 ERA and a 6.66 FIP, but the 27-year-old had a great first half season for the Jays. Altogether, he had a 2.66 ERA and a 3.68 FIP in 23.2 innings pitched, along with a 20.8 K% and a 6.3 BB%.
There’s a lot more strikeout potential for Cabrera though. As a left-handed pitcher, he averaged 96 mph on his fastball for the season, and averaged as high as 97.9 mph back in 2021. Moreover, that year was his best season where he had a 3.73 ERA and a 3.28 FIP in 70 innings pitched for a 1.2 fWAR.
Cabrera has two years of team control remaining, and he’s expected to make $1.4 million according to MLB Trade Rumors projections. That’s rather cheap for what he offers the Jays.
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how have i never seen this clip of Genesis Cabrera LMAOOOOOO <a href="https://t.co/67a7DNzdPg">pic.twitter.com/67a7DNzdPg</a>
&mdash; Ernie Clement Enjoyer (@Hockey_Is_All) <a href="https://twitter.com/Hockey_Is_All/status/1693882188604043490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Not just that, but Cabrera has an option year remaining, meaning that the Blue Jays are able to send him down a maximum of five times before they’d have to designate him for assignment. However, if he pitches anything like he did in 2023 for the Jays, they don’t have to worry about it.
Speaking of 2024, Fangraphs predicts that he’ll have a 4.18 ERA and 4.52 FIP in 63 innings pitched, along with a 23.2 K% and a 10.4 BB%. That walk rate would actually be below his career BB% of 11.6%, but well above the 6.3 BB% he had with the Jays in 2023.
Alongside Tim Mayza, the Blue Jays should have very little concern about the two left-handed relievers on the roster. However, Brendon Little is the only other lefty reliever on the 40-man, so don’t be surprised if they add another one this off-season.
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As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
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The Génesis Cabrera trade was probably the best Blue Jays trade of the season.



This is the 40-man Roster Review, in which we’re going to take a look back at each player on the Blue Jays’ 40-man roster, and how they performed in 2023, as well as their outlook for 2024.

Where were you on July 21, 2023, when the Blue Jays traded for the left-handed pitcher? Personally, I was in Goderich, Ontario (more specifically Auburn, Ontario), camping without my phone, so I didn’t know this trade happened for another few days.

https://twitter.com/BlueJays/status/1682448064626462720

By that time, Cabrera, who was 26 years old at the time, already pitched twice and had a line of 3 IP, 1 H, 0ER, 0 BB, 3 K against the Los Angeles Dodgers of all teams. In fact, from the first pitch he threw on July 24 to the end of August, Cabrera didn’t allow a single run in 16.1 innings pitched, walking just two and striking out 12.

September and the first day in October were rough, as he pitched 7.1 innings and had an 8.59 ERA and a 6.66 FIP, but the 27-year-old had a great first half season for the Jays. Altogether, he had a 2.66 ERA and a 3.68 FIP in 23.2 innings pitched, along with a 20.8 K% and a 6.3 BB%.

There’s a lot more strikeout potential for Cabrera though. As a left-handed pitcher, he averaged 96 mph on his fastball for the season, and averaged as high as 97.9 mph back in 2021. Moreover, that year was his best season where he had a 3.73 ERA and a 3.28 FIP in 70 innings pitched for a 1.2 fWAR.

Cabrera has two years of team control remaining, and he’s expected to make $1.4 million according to MLB Trade Rumors projections. That’s rather cheap for what he offers the Jays.

https://twitter.com/Hockey_Is_All/status/1693882188604043490

Not just that, but Cabrera has an option year remaining, meaning that the Blue Jays are able to send him down a maximum of five times before they’d have to designate him for assignment. However, if he pitches anything like he did in 2023 for the Jays, they don’t have to worry about it.

Speaking of 2024, Fangraphs predicts that he’ll have a 4.18 ERA and 4.52 FIP in 63 innings pitched, along with a 23.2 K% and a 10.4 BB%. That walk rate would actually be below his career BB% of 11.6%, but well above the 6.3 BB% he had with the Jays in 2023.

Alongside Tim Mayza, the Blue Jays should have very little concern about the two left-handed relievers on the roster. However, Brendon Little is the only other lefty reliever on the 40-man, so don’t be surprised if they add another one this off-season.

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As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.

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