Blue Jays: Former players suiting up for new teams in 2019

KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 25: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks back to third during a game against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 25, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO - JUNE 25: Josh Donaldson #20 of the Toronto Blue Jays walks back to third during a game against the Kansas City Royals in the third inning at Kauffman Stadium on June 25, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Aledmys Diaz #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates a solo home homer in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 17, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 17: Aledmys Diaz #1 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates a solo home homer in the ninth inning during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 17, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Aledmys Diaz- Houston Astros

Aledmys Diaz was traded to the Houston Astros this past offseason for pitcher Trent Thornton after just one season in Toronto. The shortstop joined the Blue Jays the previous offseason after being acquired from the Cardinals.

Diaz performed admirably last season hitting .263/.303/.453 with 18 homers and a 1.4 WAR in 130 games for the Blue Jays in 2018. The 28-year provided adequate defence while showing good pop while reaching a career high in home runs.

The shortstop will join his third organization and owns a career .275/.325/.458 line with 42 home runs in 320 games with the Cards and Jays. Diaz was an All-Star in 2016 while also finishing fifth in Rookie of the Year voting that season.

Diaz along with fellow shortstop Troy Tulowitzki were both shown the door this offseason to clear a path for the Blue Jays rebuild to take full effect. The acquisition of a controllable pitcher outweighed the benefit of keeping Diaz in the fold.

Diaz will in all probability be utilized as a super utility player for the Astros in 2019 as Houston has the likes of Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Alex Bregman cemented as fixtures in their infield.