Blue Jays: An in-depth analysis of trading with the Athletics

Prior to the start of the 2019 season, Kendrys Morales was sent to the Oakland Athletics for prospect Jesus Lopez and international bonus money. While this trade may have come as a surprise to most, this is certainly not the first deal with Oakland that Blue Jays fans didn’t see coming.

The first time the Toronto Blue Jays sent a player to Oakland was in February 24, 1977, when the Blue Jays acquired Ron Fairly while sending Mike Weathers and cash the opposite way (after they drafted him in the expansion draft).

Both teams usually have ulterior motives when it comes to trading, as the Blue Jays tend to spend when on a playoff run, while the Athletics trade star players away before they are due for a pay raise (hooray for stingy spending ownership). We’re seeing the opposite of that scenario play out this season, but things have been different throughout the 43 years of this franchise.

Since Toronto entered the league in 1977, both teams have combined for over 10+ trades. Iconic Blue Jays players such as Alfredo Griffin and Billy Koch saw their Jays career abruptly end while being shipped to California, while Athletics icon Rickey Henderson wore the blue trim north of the border in 1993.

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Oakland Athletics have had quite the relationship when it comes to trading, as both teams have seen wins and losses when it comes to sending players the opposite way.