(Toronto) The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired outfielder Daulton Varsho from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and receiver Gabriel Moreno.
Varsho will add a left-handed power hitter to the Jays roster. However, his arrival comes at a significant cost, as Moreno is one of the Majors’ top prospects and Gurriel is a regular player.
The 26-year-old Varsho averaged .235/.302/.443 with 23 doubles and three triples, but most importantly, 27 home runs and 74 RBIs, personal bests.
He made 42 starts from center field and 61 from right, in addition to 18 games behind the plate. Likes to shoot the ball, he should benefit from the new rules of Major League Baseball, which will prevent special defenses starting next season.
Gurriel, 29, played 121 games for the Jays in 2022, hitting .291/.343/.400, setting a personal-high 32 doubles.
Moreno is possibly the centerpiece of the deal for the Diamondbacks. The 22-year-old receiver was the Jays’ No. 1 prospect according to MLB.com. In 22 games for the big club in 2022, he batted .319 with a double, a home run and seven RBIs. He can also play as a left fielder.
The Blue Jays finished the season seven games behind the New York Yankees and first in the American East Division. They’re having a busy offseason, as they try to change a few plays after being knocked out in the fourth ace round.
The Jays shipped Teoscar Hernandez to the Seattle Mariners last month for reliever Erik Swanson. They also signed outfielder Kevin Kiermaier and starting pitcher Chris Bassitt.
Varsho was part of a talented group of young outfielders at the Diamondbacks. The latter are trying to compete with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres in the West Division of the National.