ROSTER MOVES: 🔹 We’ve claimed C Tyler Heineman off waivers from the Red Sox 🔹 Additionally, C Brian Serven has been designated for assignment
The Blue Jays acquire Tyler Heineman for the third time, designate Brian Serven for assignment
Sep 16, 2024, 17:00 EDTUpdated: Sep 16, 2024, 17:19 EDT
Ah crap, here we go again.
Tyler Heineman is the ex the Toronto Blue Jays can’t give up, as they once again acquired him. This time, they claimed the catcher off waivers from the Boston Red Sox and immediately added to the 40-man roster. The counter move saw the Blue Jays designate Brian Serven for assignment.
In March 2022, the Jays signed Heineman to a minor league deal, where he slashed .267/.267/.400 in 16 plate appearances with the team. The playoff-bound Jays designated him for assignment in mid-May of the year, and he was claimed by the Pirates. He finished the season with more playing time, slashing .211/.277/.254 with no homers in 158 plate appearances.
Heineman was designated for assignment in the 2022-23 off-season, but later re-signed with the Pirates, where he slashed .111/.200/.111 in 10 plate appearances. The Jays acquired Heineman from the Pirates in late April, trading Vinny Capra to the National League team. Heineman spent more time with the Jays in 2023, slashing .276/.432/.379 with no home runs in 37 plate appearances.
We have traded C Tyler Heineman to the Blue Jays in exchange for INF Vinny Capra. Capra was then assigned to Triple-A Indianapolis. INF Drew Maggi was also returned to Double-A Altoona following the second game of last night’s doubleheader.
It’s shocking, but Heineman was once again designated for assignment by the Blue Jays after the 2023 season and claimed by the New York Mets, before he was traded to the Boston Red Sox. The 33-year-old catcher has spent all but three plate appearances in Triple-A this season, before being designated for assignment again on Saturday.
Funnily enough, the Blue Jays have now acquired Heineman in three different ways. The signed him in 2022, traded for him in 2023, and now have claimed him off waivers.
However, that meant another move had to be made as the Jays’ 40-man roster is full. In turn, they designated Brain Serven for assignment. The 29-year-old has played 28 games with the Jays this season, slashing .159/.243/.222 with no home runs in 71 plate appearances, along with a 7 BB% and a 31 K% for a 38 wRC+ and a -0.2 fWAR. Defensively, Serven has been solid for the Jays, picking up 2 Defensive Runs Saved in 182 innings caught behind the plate.
This is a minor move that likely won’t impact the 2025 Blue Jays in any meaningful way, but it’s nice to see how much they value Heineman as a catcher and as a person. Hopefully, he’ll get more of an opportunity in the final two weeks of the season.
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