Blue Jays send Jon Berti to the Indians for cash considerations

The Toronto Blue Jays traded minor league veteran infielder Jon Berti to the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations yesterday.

Jon Berti was selected by the Blue Jays in the 18th round, 559th overall in the 2011 amateur draft and has spent the past eight seasons in the Jays minor league ranks. The utility player is still hopeful for that final promotion and perhaps Cleveland will afford Berti that elusive opportunity.

The Buffalo Bisons were struggling to find at-bats for Berti who had only appeared in four games for the herd thus far connecting for two singles in eight attempts on the young season. With the recent major league demotion of Gift Ngoepe, Berti found himself on the outside looking in which prompted the Jays brain trust to make the move.

Berti who is primarily a second baseman can also play third base, shortstop, and the outfield when called upon. The veteran had only seen action on the hot corner for the Bisons so far during the 2018 campaign.

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The Bisons currently have a plethora of infielders on the active roster even without Berti in the fold. The likes of Rowdy Tellez, Danny Espinosa, Jose Urena, Jason Leblebijian, Tim Lopes and now Ngoepe all occupy spots with the Triple-A affiliate.

Berti was essentially organizational depth and very expendable with the list of aforementioned players all ahead of him on the depth chart. In saying that Berti was a career .253 hitter but did swipe 236 career bases including 56 in 2013 while also providing defensive flexibility.

The Jays front office found a familiar trade partner in the Indians obtaining cash considerations for the services of Berti. However, the transaction appears to be centered around freeing up roster space in Buffalo than for financial gain.

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Blue Jays fans were able to see Berti in action during the past few Grapefruit League seasons during spring training however he was never fortunate enough to break camp and make the trip north with the big club. Hopefully, Berti can impress his new employer and finally get that one last call to the show.