Blue Jays: Ross Atkins’ history of trading in the month of June

This season, the Toronto Blue Jays appeared to be positioning themselves for another playoff run with ace Hyun Jin Ryu leading the rotation on the mound and free-agent signings of George Springer and Marcus Semien bolstering the lineup.

While Vladimir Gurerrero Jr. is playing at an MVP pace through the first two and a half months, poor outings from the pitching corps and injuries to the roster now have the Blue Jays far behind the AL East-leading Tampa Bay Rays.

Right now, fans are calling on Ross Atkins and co. to find some trade partners sooner rather than later when it comes to bolstering the active roster. While this makes sense on paper, it can be tough to find a trade partner when teams are still in the hunt for the playoffs and the trade deadline is still a month and a half away.

Fans are clamouring for Ross Atkins and the Blue Jays front office to make some moves to improve the roster sooner rather than later, with the current general manager perofmring just a handful of June trades since taking office.

That being said, the Blue Jays have made trades before in June, with Ross Atkins executing a few of his own since joining the organization at the beginning of the 2015/2016 off-season.

June 13, 2019

Toronto Blue Jays acquire: RHP Nick Kingham

Pittsburgh Pirates acquire: Cash

After being designated for assignment by the Pirates, Ross Atkins went and traded cash for former fourth-round right-hander Nick Kingham. Making his major league debut in 2018, Kingham owns a career 6.08 ERA with 115 strikeouts through 131.2 innings pitched. For the Blue Jays, the right-hander would throw to a 3.00 ERA through 11 relief appearances with eight walks and 14 strikeouts.

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The Jays’ would DFA Kingham later that season to reinstate Clay Buchholz from the 60-day injured list. He is currently playing with the Hanwha Eagles in the Korean Baseball Organization.

June 28, 2018

Toronto Blue Jays acquire: SS Santiago Espinal

Boston Red Sox acquire: 1B Steve Pearce

A rare trade with an AL East rival, the Jays’ sent infielder Steve Pearce to the Red Sox in exchange for prospect Santiago Espinal.

Making his debut last season, Espinal is a versatile infielder who can provide some pop off the bat when he makes contact. Through 62 games and 147 appearances, the Dominican product sports a .268/.306/.348 with 12 RBI and a .654 OPS. This season, he has been shuffled between the major league roster and AAA due to the numerous injuries and because he has minor league options.

The Red Sox would acquire the veteran Steve Pearce, who the Blue Jays signed back in the 2016/2017 off-season on a two-year deal. The former Baltimore Oriole would end up winning the World Series with the Sox later that year and would win the World Series MVP award after going 4 for 16 with three home runs and eight RBI. Prior to the 2020 season, Pearce announced that he was retiring from baseball.

June 8, 2018

Toronto Blue Jays acquire: 2B Jon Berti

Cleveland Indians acquire: Cash

Traded to the Cleveland Indians earlier in the season, infielder Jon Berti came back full circle when the Blue Jays re-acquired him two months later.

A minor league journeyman for most of his career, Berti made his big league debut back in 2018 and has spent the past three season with the Miami Marlins. He currently owns a .253/.347/.367 slash line with 52 RBI and a .714 OPS.

June 22, 2016

Toronto Blue Jays acquire: Player to be named later/Cash

Seattle Mariners acquire: LHP Wade Leblanc

A minor transaction, the Blue Jays sent southpaw Wade Leblanc to the Mariners in exchange for cash considerations. Leblanc did not make a major league appearance with the Blue Jays and is currently with the Baltimore Orioles after starting the year with the Milwuakee Brewers and Texas Rangers AAA affiliates. He owns a 9.45 ERA with seven earned runs with one walk and six strikeouts through 6.2 innings pitched on the season.

June 01, 2016

Toronto Blue Jays acquire: Cash

Philadelphia Phillies acquire: 3B Jimmy Paredes

A bench infielder for most of his major league career, Jimmy Paredes was with the Blue Jays for half a season before being shipped out to the Phillies, with the 2016 season being his last at the highest level.