Blue Jays: Former Jays in Spring Training

As Spring Training is getting closer to coming to an end, I thought it would be fun to take a look around the league at 2020 Blue Jays that moved on to new teams and see how they are making out so far.

Travis Shaw – Milwaukee Brewers
Travis Shaw returned to the Milwaukee Brewers in February when he signed a one-year deal worth $1.5 Million.  This past week Shaw revealed that he was told he had made the club and will start the season in Milwaukee.  Shaw did not exactly knock the cover off the ball as has gone just 4 for 23 (.174) while striking out five times, however, his versatility is what will likely give him a longer look.

Jonathan Villar – New York Mets
In early February, Jonathan Villar signed a one-year deal with the New York Mets for $3.55 Million.  Villar has struggled so far going 3 for 25 with just one extra base hit, while striking out 11 times to just one walk.

Brandon Drury – New York Mets
In early January, Brandon Drury signed on with the New York Mets on a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training.  Drury has signed on as more of a depth move for the Mets, but he has been able to remain in camp.  He is currently batting 2 for 18 (.111) with no extra base hits and has struck out seven times to no walks.

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Derek FIsher – Milwaukee Brewers
In the middle of February Derek Fisher was Designated for Assignment by the Blue Jays, which led to him being traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash and a player to be named later.  Fisher was performing well in camp as he has hit 6 for 22 (.273) with four extra base hits, however, he has since gone down with a hamstring injury and it is unclear whether he will be healed before camp is over.

Billy McKinney – Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers claimed Billy McKinney off of waivers from the Blue Jays last fall and he is making a late surge to try to make the club.  McKinney is still striking out (10) a lot and only has six hits in 28 at bats, but five of those are extra base hits.  McKinney hit his second home run of the spring on Thursday and then hit a pair on Friday.

Matt Shoemaker – Minnesota Twins
It looked like a steal of a deal when the Minnesota Twins inked Matt Shoemaker to a one-year deal for $2 million.  Shoemaker struggled in his most recent performance as he allowed seven runs over three innings, however, he surrendered just one run over his first two appearances (6.1 IP).  At first glance his numbers look really bad, but they are inflated by his one bad outing.

Taijuan Walker – New York Mets
Many fans were hoping that Toronto were going to sign Taijuan Walker back for the 2021 season, however he signed a multi-year deal with the New York Mets.  Walker has made two appearances this spring and looked very good in his most recent outing on March 19 as he threw four shutout innings allowing just one hit while striking out three.

Anthony Bass – Miami Marlins
Another pitcher I thought the Blue Jays were going to be able to bring back, Anthony Bass signed a multi-year deal with the Miami Marlins.  Bass has made six appearances so far out of the bullpen for the Marlins and allowed his first runs in his most recent appearance last Wednesday.  In total he has pitched six innings allowing just two runs.

Shun Yamaguchi – San Francisco Giants
The Blue Jays walked away from Shun Yamaguchi and the final year of his nearly $3.2 million contract in early February when they released him.  Just over a week later he signed on with the San Francisco Giants.  Yamaguchi has made three appearances so far, pitching a total of four innings and allowing just one run.

Which of these former Blue Jays would you have liked to see return to the club this year.