Underwhelming Blue Jays Guardians trade ends up being huge for Toronto
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On January 17th, the Toronto Blue Jays sent cash considerations to the Cleveland Guardians for $2 million in 2025 International Free Agency bonus pool money. To make it worth it for the Guards, they dumped Myles Straw's salary on the Jays.
At the time the Blue Jays were pursuing starting pitcher Rōki Sasaki, one of the best young pitchers in the world.
Due to his age, the 23-year-old didn't go through the usual posting system where teams can offer as much as they want.
Instead, Sasaki had to go through the IFA, meaning teams had to dig into their bonus pool money. Hence, the move to get additional bonus pool money.
In the end, the Blue Jays came second to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the second consecutive season while attempting to sign a Japanese superstar.
Sasaki hasn't found the success that was expected of him, posting a 4.72 ERA and a 6.13 FIP in 34.1 innings pitched, with a 15.6 K% and a 14.3 BB%.
The 23-year-old is currently on the 15-day Injured List because of a shoulder injury.
At the time, Straw's trade alongside international cash seemed more about the Jays' since-foiled push for free-agent starter Roki Sasaki.
However, the outfielder's .286 batting average would be the highest of his career. He's stolen five bases and been a well above-average hitter against lefties.
With Daulton Varsho out with a grade one hamstring strain, the speedy outfielder will see regular time in centre against southpaws.
He's become a «quiet spark plug,» manager John Schneider said.
Straw made his presence felt Thursday when the Blue Jays tagged Jesús Luzardo for eight early runs in a 9-1 win over the Phillies.
The Blue Jays moved to four games over .500 (33-29), the furthest above an even record they've been this year. Chris Bassitt threw seven innings of one-run ball, and five Toronto hitters had multihit games, a group that included Straw.
«He's become a little bit of a group favorite,» Schneider said. «He's professional. He understands his role, understands what guys should do and he's not afraid to speak up. He does a lot of stuff behind the scenes. Really good sense of humor, and I think guys really respect that.»
All in all, the trade looked horrendous after Sasaki signed with the Dodgers, but it has quietly become one of the best transactions the Blue Jays made this past offseason.
Did the Blue Jays win the Myles Straw for cash trade over the Guardians?
Tell us what you think in the poll below.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 6 | 152 ANSWERS Underwhelming Blue Jays Guardians trade ends up being huge for Toronto Did the Blue Jays win the Myles Straw for cash trade over the Guardians? | ||
| Yes | 138 | 90.8 % |
| No | 5 | 3.3 % |
| Too early to tell | 9 | 5.9 % |
| List of polls | ||
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