Blue Jays: Ranking the Year’s Past Trades

7. Bradley Zimmer (OF) for Anthony Castro (RHP) 

This trade was completed with the purpose of adding competent depth to the outfield, and I believe it did that, and only that. Zimmer, who has since been DFAd and joined the Phillies, before re-joining Jays recently, is a gifted fielder. Fangraphs has him at 5 DRS and an OAA of 2. However, he is generationally untalented in the batter’s box. Through 87 plate appearances as a Jay he accrued a 27 OPS+, which translates to him being 73% worse than the average major league hitter.

On the positive side, Atkins didn’t give up much to receive Zimmer. Anthony Castro, a former Tigers prospect, worked 24.3 innings out of the Jays pen the season prior. Castro possesses a plus slider, leading to high K numbers. Despite his potential, he’s seen minimal impact in Cleveland this year, only throwing 13.1 innings in a stacked bullpen that already features Emanuel Clase and James Karinchak.

Overall, this trade could ultimately be considered a wash for both clubs. Neither players made significant impact on their respective new teams.

6. Zack Collins (C) for Reese McGuire (C) 

This was a swap of catchers which made a lot of sense at the time, and still does to this point. Made towards the end of Spring Training, the trade brought in a catcher who fit the Blue Jays roster better than Reese McGuire did. Zack Collins is a left-handed hitting catcher with power, who lacked in the defence department. Collins also had minor league options left on his contract. McGuire, who’d been with the organization since 2016, was the opposite of Collins’ makeup. A glove first catcher with little offensive potential, who was also out of options.

Overall, Collins has struggled during his time in Toronto’s organization. His low average, on-base, and power output doesn’t mesh well with being a below average fielder, and his performance in AAA Buffalo in the meantime hasn’t turned any heads either. But, how could anyone forget about his April. During a time with not much offence to cheer about, Collins was a spark plug in the early part of the season. In April, he hit to an .816 OPS while both catching and DH-ing. He excelled in the clutch too, hitting .429 with two outs and runners in scoring position in the limited opportunities he had in those situations. Needless to say, he cooled off, and Collins has essentially been a non-factor since May.

Regardless of Collins’ struggles, McGuire didn’t exactly pan out either. His time on the White Sox saw him hit .225 and produce a 56 OPS+. He would later be traded to the Red Sox, where he’s gotten off to a hot start.

Much like the seventh ranked trade on this list, this transaction remains sort of redundant. Neither players have made or left significant impacts on their new organizations.