TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays have begun their sell-off, buying and selling right-handed reliever Yimi García to the Seattle Mariners in change for prospects Jacob Sharp and Jonatan Clase.
#BlueJays announce formally that they’ve acquired OF Jonatan Clase and C Jacob Sharp from the Mariners in change for Yimi García. The sell-off begins!
— Kaitlyn McGrath (@kaitlyncmcgrath) July 26, 2024
At 33, García is having one of the best season of his profession with a 2.70 ERA in 29 outings. The best-handed reliever has been throwing more durable this season, leading to a career-best strikeout charge of 36.5 p.c.
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Blue Jays’ Yimi García ‘on a unique degree proper now’ as he carves out greater position
After their disappointing efficiency this season, the Blue Jays have been compelled into promoting on the commerce deadline. The membership is actively procuring gamers on expiring contracts, and by buying and selling García first, they’ve moved one among their greatest commerce chips.
However others stay, together with starter Yusei Kikuchi, who’s scheduled to start out on Friday towards the Texas Rangers, right-handed reliever Trevor Richards and place gamers Danny Jansen, Justin Turner and Kevin Kiermaier.
Shortly after the commerce turned official, García spoke to the media and stated he was feeling a mixture of feelings — unhappy to be leaving Toronto, a company he referred to as “first-class” but additionally “very glad” to hitch a contending Mariners workforce. Given the probability of being dealt, García stated he and his household have been packed for days and he expects to hitch the Mariners quickly.
García has an arsenal extra akin to a starter than a reliever, throwing six completely different pitches. He’s versatile, having pitched in numerous roles over his decade within the main leagues. Seattle’s bullpen ranks close to the center of the pack for each ERA and Win Chance Added, so García figures to be one other weapon they will use in late innings as a set-up man, forward of nearer Andrés Muñoz.
In change, the Blue Jays acquired Clase, a 22-year-old versatile outfielder who ranked ninth on Keith Regulation’s high 20 Mariners prospects earlier than the season. Clase has restricted expertise within the majors, enjoying 19 video games for the Mariners this season, hitting .195/.233/.220, however he has a .856 OPS with 10 residence runs in 59 video games in Triple A. He could venture as a fourth outfielder long-term, however is a participant with pace, robust defence and a few sneaky pop from each side, Regulation wrote.
Because the Blue Jays attempt to compete once more in 2025, there may be an emphasis on buying gamers who’re within the higher minor leagues and are practically major-league-ready. Clase would appear to suit that description. Sharp, in the meantime, is a 22-year-old catcher who’s hitting .255/.339/.435 in Low A and provides depth at a place of want.
That is the Mariners’ second deal in lower than 24 hours, as they picked up outfielder Randy Arozarena in a cope with Tampa Bay late Thursday night time. Seattle figures to be probably the most aggressive consumers available on the market. Earlier this month, we checked out how the Blue Jays and Mariners may match up as commerce companions.
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(Photograph of García: Christopher Katsarov / The Canadian Press by way of Related Press)
