Blue Jays trade Wade LeBlanc to Mariners for cash, PTBNL

The 31-year-old Blue Jays minor-leaguer has been the star of the Buffalo Bisons’ rotation this season, going 7-2 with a 1.71 ERA

The Toronto Blue Jays have traded left-handed starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc to the Seattle Mariners for cash considerations or a player to be named later. 


LeBlanc signed with the Blue Jays this past December after spending parts of 2015 in Japan with the Seibu Lions. Across parts of seven major league seasons, LeBlanc has a 21-33 record with a 4.67 ERA. It is expected that LeBlanc will join the Mariners MLB roster.

This is an interesting move for the Blue Jays, who prioritized pitching depth this past offseason. LeBlanc has emerged as the most valuable triple-A pitcher for the Bisons, though Drew Hutchison remains the next pitcher up for the MLB roster.

Pitchers like Scott Diamond, Roberto Hernandez, and Chris Leroux will all take one step higher in the rotation with LeBlanc’s departure.

The return from this trade, whether it be financial or an on-field asset, will be critical in how this trade is judged. While losing Buffalo’s staff ace is a legitimate loss, the other half of the deal is not yet known.