Ex-Blue Jays: Where are they now?

Mar 19, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) rounds third on his way to score during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 19, 2017; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) rounds third on his way to score during the fourth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /
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Mar 30, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) during an exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Cleveland Indians third baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) during an exhibition game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

These former Blue Jays, both loved and hated, find themselves in various jobs across the MLB as the 2017 season launches.

Baseball is a business and it often has a high turnover rate. Beloved fan favourites are shipped to teams on the other side of the country on a regular basis. Fans and teammates hold their breath as the Trade Deadline nears or Free Agency begins, hoping that their favourites survive.

When all is said and done, fans follow their ex-Toronto Blue Jays with keen interest in how their career develops — whether hoping for success or a quick dropoff after leaving Toronto.

According to my rough research, there are 35 ex-Blue Jays on 40-man rosters to start this season, including a couple that were only in Toronto’s system and never on the big-league club.

I’ve put together the top 10 of those 35 and chosen them based on players the Jays’ fan base felt a lot about, whether because they were indeed fan favourites or because Toronto front office held on to them just a bit too long.