The Toronto Blue Jays had watched the New York Yankees, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Boston Red Sox, and even the Baltimore Orioles make some trades while standing pat over the last couple of days.
That’s not the case anymore.
The Jays, currently second in the AL East with a 57-45 record, are bringing in a major upgrade for their bullpen.
“The Toronto Blue Jays are finalizing a deal with the Miami Marlins, sources tell ESPN. Shortstop Jordan Groshans is going to Miami. Zach Pop and others are going to Toronto,” ESPN’s Jeff Passan tweeted.
He also said that the main player going back to Toronto is right-handed reliever Anthony Bass.
“The Blue Jays have been looking for help, and in Bass, they’re getting a late-inning complement to Yimi Garcia, Adam Cimber and closer Jordan Romano,” he said.
The main player going back to Toronto, per source: right-handed reliever Anthony Bass, who's been dominant this season.
The Blue Jays have been looking for help, and in Bass, they're getting a late-inning complement to Yimi Garcia, Adam Cimber and closer Jordan Romano.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2022
Indeed, Bass, after an inconsistent 2021 season, has been lights out in 2022.
Last year, he had a 3.82 ERA after a rough start of the season.
Bass Has Been Incredible In 2022
This season?
He owns a 1.41 ERA in 44.2 frames, with more than a strikeout per inning and just 2.01 walks per nine.
He has been one of the best relievers in baseball.
He is already 34, so he is not exactly young, but he fills a need in the Blue Jays as they try to make the postseason and make some noise once there.
They are giving up a solid prospect in infielder Jordan Groshans.
He is currently a top-100 prospect in the league and projects as a regular for the Marlins in the not-so-distant future.
Bass was a bit pricey, but in the end, it was important for the Blue Jays to have a good, deep bullpen for what is coming.
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