Checking in on how traded Blue Jays are doing with their new teams
Photo credit: © Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 21, 2024, 12:00 EDTUpdated: Aug 21, 2024, 11:54 EDT
Just over three weeks ago, the Blue Jays parted with some of their coveted players at the trade deadline as they shifted their focus toward the future. Toronto traded a whopping eight players in late July to replenish their desolate farm system and transform the supporting cast around the core stars like first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Most players who departed the Blue Jays have since gone to contenders to shoot their shot at making successful playoff runs and are knee-deep into the unpredictable and fierce contention. So, how are these eight players doing now with their new teams? Let’s take a look…
Yimi García, RHP – Seattle Mariners
After becoming one of the more reliable arms in the beleaguered Blue Jays bullpen, the right-handed reliever was traded to the Seattle Mariners. However, García has struggled after moving to the west coast. With Seattle, he now has an earned run average (ERA) of 6.00, gave up seven hits and six earned runs with a walks and hits per inning pitched (WHIP) of 1.222 in 10 games he pitched. In García’s defence, he still needs to pitch more innings with the Mariners to even out the numbers and the chances are, his ERA will come down when the regular season ends. That said, this isn’t the version of the right-hander Seattle hoped for and García will have to continue proving himself with his new team in a bid to show his true value.
Danny Jansen, C – Boston Red Sox
Not long after getting traded to Blue Jays’ division rival Boston Red Sox, Jansen got going on a hot streak. In 12 games he played with Boston, the catcher produced nine hits (two hits were home runs) with a batting average (BA) of .281, on-base percentage (OBP) of .361, .469 of slugging (SLG) and .830 of on-base plus slugging (OPS). He also recorded five runs batted in(RBI) in his time with the Red Sox and has lived up to the expectations of being a serviceable catcher. However, Jansen tends to go on hot and cold streaks, which could likely happen as he logs more games with his new team. The catcher has had white-hot streaks with the Blue Jays but also went on extended slumps, and injuries weren’t certainly on his side either. So long as the injury bugs miss Jansen, the Red Sox may see the best version of him at the plate and even behind the plate.
Kevin Kiermaier, OF – Los Angeles Dodgers
Since his trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kiermaier appears energized, providing stellar defence and adequate plate appearances. At a time, the outfielder also somewhat outperformed his expected batting, but his bats aren’t the most significant appeal around the league anymore. Kiermaier is a defensive magician and specialist, and that stand-out quality was enough for the Dodgers to trade for him as one of their platoon/late-inning players. In some ways, Kiermaier actually provided more value at the plate with the Dodgers. In 13 games Kiermaier played, he has a .226 BA, .273 OBP, .355 SLG and .628 OPS and even produced five RBIs with one home run. The outfielder’s fielding percentage hasn’t dropped since moving to Los Angeles, either. The chances are Kiermaier’s batting statistics will eventually even out, but he will continue to prove his value by making game-saving defensive plays.
Aug 2, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit:
Yusei Kikuchi, LHP – Houston Astros
After experiencing some ups and downs with the Blue Jays, Kikuchi was traded to the Houston Astros with much burden on his shoulders. As the league marvelled at the trade details and the returns Toronto received, Kikuchi had no choice but to turn things around for the playoff-hungry Houston. And the left-hander has exactly done that with his new team. In four games and 22.1 innings he pitched, Kikuchi has a 2.42 ERA and a WHIP of 1.030. In his first game as an Astro, Kikuchi pitched into the seventh inning, showcasing his ability to become a reliable starting pitcher for the Astros’ rotation. The truth is, Kikuchi’s sample size with Houston is too small to determine whether he’s been a slam dunk for the contender. As the starting pitcher navigates his new team and dynamic in the fall, he must continuously put the sharpest version of himself to save pitching arms for the injury-riddled pitching staff.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa, UTIL – Pittsburgh Pirates
Kiner-Falefa’s trade came as a surprise as the Blue Jays front office made it clear that the team has no intention of trading players whose contracts extend beyond 2024. Nevertheless, the Pittsburgh Pirates made an irresistible offer that Toronto couldn’t refuse, and the utility man became one of the Bucs. With his new team, Kiner-Falefa has been who he has been advertised to be. In 15 games and 65 plate appearances, the infielder has .258 BA, .292 OBP, .419 SLG and .712 OPS. He also has 16 hits under his belt and has been an effective role player on the Pirates, who were hoping to make a run for one of the playoff spots. While Pittsburgh’s chance of making it to the playoffs this season is dwindling as time goes by, Kiner-Falefa will continue to contribute to the team after this year as the team eyes 2025 and beyond. If there’s anything, he’s now a teammate of rising star Paul Skenes.
Nate Pearson, RHP – Chicago Cubs
It’s an understatement to say Nate Pearson’s time with the Blue Jays was full of injuries and unachieved potential on both sides. Pearson came to Toronto with the hopes and expectations that he would become one of the dominant starters. However, due to his long, sustained injuries, Pearson has transformed himself into a bullpen specialist. The stuff has always been there for the right-hander but his time to prove himself was simply running out with the Blue Jays. Then, in came the Chicago Cubs, hoping to build their bullpen for the future. Given his upside and potential, Chicago could take the risk of helping Pearson to find his form and he has turned things around on the northside of the city. In six games and 9.1 innings pitched, Pearson recorded a 2.89 ERA with a WHIP of 0.857. However, his fielding independent pitching (FIP) is at 5.41, which is higher than what he had with the Blue Jays (4.64). Once again, this is a smaller sample size to say whether Pearson was able to make sustainable adjustments definitively. The only way to define Pearson’s bounce-back and success, therefore, is time – only time will tell.
Trevor Richards, RHP – Minnesota Twins
Richards was always going to be traded as his contract came to an end at the end of 2024. The only problem that stood in the way was his effectiveness and consistency. While Richards had a stretch with the Blue Jays, where he became one of the more dependent arms out of the bullpen, he’s also given up more hard contact. With more inconsistency on the rise, the Minnesota Twins decided to take a chance with the right-hander when they made their one and only trade to bolster the team. So far, Richards has made strides with the Twins and became a more reliable reliever. In eight games and nine innings pitched, Richards has a 3.00 ERA with a WHIP of 1.111 and an FIP of 3.94. He’s also prevented home runs effectively, even if he recorded three earned runs in those games he’s pitched. For Richards to become a staple in the Twins’ bullpen, he will have to keep up this record and earn his spot as a go-to setup man. Minnesota is holding solidly onto the last Wild Card spot playing in a competitive AL Central Division.
Justin Turner, DH – Seattle Mariners
Turner signed with the Blue Jays during the offseason hoping to return to the playoffs. Little did he know the Blue Jays would falter in 2024 and slip to irrelevance in the playoff debate. To make matters worse, Turner experienced one of the harshest slumps at the beginning of the season after showing a spark of his potential. Thankfully, the designated hitter overcame his struggles and became one of the more productive members of the Blue Jays lineup. The Mariners noticed his leadership and the value he brought to the plate. That’s how Turner got the chance to fight for the playoffs once more, and he’s been an adequate role player thus far. With Seattle, Turner has a .196 BA, .305 OBP, .275 SLG and .580 OPS in 59 plate appearances. While these statistics don’t look gaudy, Turner recorded nine RBIs and ten hits, exhibiting his ability to generate hits and runs when it matters the most. Moving forward, Turner will solidify his place as a role player in the Mariners’ clubhouse and won’t face the pressure to become the face of the offence.