Trades are happening and the game thread is filling up so lets do a deadline day thread.
So far in late July...
Adds: Paul DeJong, Jordan Hicks, Génesis Cabrera.
Drops: Adam Kloffenstein, Sem Robberse, Matt Svanson, Sammy Hernandez
DFA to make room: Jordan Luplow, Trent Thornton (got Mason McCoy in exchange)
Kloffenstein and Robberse might be something someday, but not in 2023 and probably not in 2024 either.
IMO the Jays gave up very little to get the help needed, a late inning reliever, a defense first SS, and a LH reliever.
Left to do is a RH corner OF with pop. Phillies, Giants and Blue Jays are all in on Teoscar Hernandez. That would be funny to get him back.
Who is DeJong - lifetime 97 wRC+, 96 this year, first 3 years in majors he was 123-103-101 then COVID hit and he stopped hitting (87-85-55 last 3 years). He has been a strong positive on defense the past 3 years though. For the rest of the season he is projected between 85 and 92 for wRC+ and 1.5 to 4.2 runs on defense. His baserunning leaves a LOT to be desired (negative every year). Looking on MLBTR comments lots of St Louis fans are happy to be rid of him, but I suspect that is due to his contract and slumping the past 3 years. Making $9 mil this year, $2 mil for buyout of his next 2 years options ($12.5 and $15 mil). Unless he really impresses this year I can't see the Jays picking those options up. The Cards sent cash as well it seems. He has 21 ML games at 2B lifetime, 20 in 2017 his rookie year. He played 61 games at 3B in a summer league at age 20 (2014) as well. Pretty sure the plan is for him to backup Bo, and maybe help a bit at 2B but that's it.
Svanson was a 13th round pick in 2021, 24 years old in A+ doing well as a reliever, but 24 year old relievers in A+ rarely go far, even with a sub 2 ERA and 11 K/9.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20230801142110229