Blue Jays send Andy Wilkins to Dodgers

When the Toronto Blue Jays claimed Andy Wilkins off waivers from the Chicago White Sox on March 29th, it was done with full knowledge that the first base situation with the Buffalo Bisons was going to be a tight one. However, Wilkins had the left-handed power that Toronto found tantalizing. Unfortunately, he never found it as a member of the Blue Jays and with the surplus at first in Buffalo, Wilkins found himself as the odd man out when the Blue Jays needed his spot on the 40-man roster.

Now he’s a Los Angeles Dodger.

According to a team press release, the Blue Jays have flipped Wilkins to the Dodgers in exchange for cash considerations. He’ll take on a familiar role for the Albuquerque Isotopes, acting as first base depth for the Dodgers should the need arise.

Coming off a season in which he hit .293/.338/.558 with 30 home runs and 85 RBI for the White Sox Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, Wilkins struggled to get his legs underneath him in Buffalo while hitting just .264/.353/.319. In 85 plate appearances, Wilkins mustered just 4 extra base hits.

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Unfortunately, that allowed both Chris Colabello (.337/.421/.554, 5 HR) and Matt Hague (.338/.430/.463, 1 HR, 15 RBI) to capture the majority of playing time at the corners. With Daric Barton expected to return from the 7-day disabled list soon, the playing crunch for Wilkins was due to get tighter.

The Wilkins trade completed a whirlwind week of moves for the Blue Jays. Toronto has completed 14 roster moves in the first 4 days of May, with the team just trying to find some magical cure for its 12-14 start. Those moves include:

• Andrew Albers recalled from Buffalo Bisons
• Maicer Izturis transferred to the 60-day DL
• Daniel Norris optioned to Buffalo Bisons
• Scott Copeland recalled from Buffalo Bisons
• Ezequiel Carrera recalled from Buffalo Bisons
• Andy Wilkins designated for assignment
• Matt West designated for assignment
• Dalton Pompey optioned to Buffalo Bisons
• Andrew Albers optioned to Buffalo Bisons
• Andy Wilkins traded to Los Angeles Dodgers for cash considerations
• Steve Delabar recalled from Buffalo Bisons
• Chad Jenkins recalled from Buffalo Bisons
• Scott Copeland optioned to Buffalo Bisons
• Miguel Castro optioned to Buffalo Bisons

Needless to say, the Blue Jays are starting to look like a team looking for an answer at this early juncture of the season. While Andy Wilkins would not have been that answer, the other moves stink of desperation to some degree. As a fan, one has to hope that the team finds its way quickly, or some bigger moves could be in the works before long.

Next: Blue Jays recall Delabar, Jenkins; Option Castro, Copeland