Blue Jays: Alejandro Kirk Likely to Be Involved in Trade Talks This Offseason

Catcher Alejandro Kirk’s name is likely to be involved in any potential trade talks the Blue Jays partake in this offseason, according to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi.

According to Morosi, the Blue Jays recently checked in with the Miami Marlins about the availability of their starting pitchers, specifically Pablo López and Elieser Hernández. Morosi states that Kirk is likely to be a part of any potential trade talks as a result of the emergence of catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and the flexibility the club has at the position.

While the Blue Jays seem to be attempting to bolster their starting rotation this offseason, it makes sense that Kirk would be available in a possible trade. The team already has a plethora of catchers, with Kirk, Danny Jansen, and Reese McGuire already on the roster. As mentioned, they also have 21-year-old catching prospect Gabriel Moreno, who is the team’s No. 1 ranked prospect and is expected to break into the major leagues in 2022, according to MLB.com.

According to Jon Morosi, catcher Alejandro Kirk’s name is likely to be involved in any potential trade talks the Blue Jays partake in this offseason.

Kirk signed with the Blue Jays in 2016 as an international free agent. He first appeared in the major leagues in 2020 and although he only appeared in nine games, he quickly became a fan favourite. The 2021 campaign was Kirk’s first, and thus far, only, full season in the Major Leagues. In 60 games and 189 plate appearances, the 23-year-old catcher posted a slash line of .242/.328/.436 to go along with 8 home runs and 24 runs batted in.

While Kirk’s numbers last season are nothing spectacular, they’re certainly respectable, and he was valuable during Jansen’s time on the injured list. He also caught the majority of Robbie Ray’s starts in 2021, indicating that he was likely Ray’s preferred catcher behind the plate.

On the surface, the idea of trading a team’s third catching option seems like a relatively small transaction. But, when that trade could have implications on the team’s chance to retain a reigning CY Young candidate, things get a little more complicated.