Five Blue Jays Rebuild Trades, and the Prospects Returned

3.       Aaron Sanchez (et al) Trade to Houston for Derek Fisher

At the time of the trade, in July of 2019, Sanchez had played six years in Toronto, with a 3.96 ERA over 571 innings.  His best season with the Jays was 2016, leading the AL with a 3.00 ERA, earning an All-Star selection and pitching in both the ALDS and ALCS.  Unfortunately, Sanchez subsequently endured an extended run of health issues which effectively derailed his career and had diminished his trade value.  On the acquisition of Fisher, Ross Atkins said at the time: “Fisher is someone the Jays have been targeting for some time. He couldn’t fit better with our young core right now.  Everything about his track record suggests he is a great fit for us.”

Update:

Derek Fisher- The outfielder hit .161 over 107 Plate Appearances with the Jays in 2019, and in the next two seasons (2020-21) he had a total of 47 plate appearances.  He struggled defensively in the outfield as well while with Toronto. To this point, the 28 year-old has a career average of .195 over 410 at bats, and an fWAR of -0.1.  In February of 2021, the Jays traded Fisher to the Brewers for cash considerations and Paxton Schultz. The Brewers subsequently outrighted him to AAA in June of 2021.  In December of 2021, Fisher signed a minor league contract with the Twins.

Aaron Sanchez – Injuries have continued to plague the former All-Star since leaving the Jays, first with the Astros and more recently having been released by the Giants in August of 2021.  Currently he is not under contract in MLB.

Joe Biagini – After being DFA by the Astros at the end of 2019, Biagini pitched a total of only 7.1 innings in MLB in the following two seasons. Currently he is not under contract with a big league team.

Cal Stevenson – The 25-year-old outfielder has yet to appear in the majors.  He is now with Tampa’s system, and was ranked by the Rays as their #44 prospect in August of 2021.