Another former Blue Jays All-Star hits free agency as Santiago Espinal is released by Rangers

We are at that time of year where many players have landed with new teams as a result of the MLB trade deadline. However, for one former Toronto Blue Jays All-Star, he will actually just hope that a team can pick him up so that he will have a new home. This past week, the Texas Rangers released former Blue Jays infielder Santiago Espinal after signing him to a minor league contract earlier in July. With the release, Espinal will be looking to join his fourth organization in the past three years as he hits free agency at one of the busiest times of the season.

It wasn’t too long ago when the Jays appeared to have found a gem in Espinal. Acquired from the Boston Red Sox in the deal that sent eventual World Series hero Steve Pearce the other way, Espinal made his MLB debut with Toronto during the COVID-shortened 2020 season. But it was the next two seasons where we saw his breakthrough with the Blue Jays.

Espinal posted a strong .311/.376/.405 slash line in 2021. He followed that up with his lone All-Star campaign in 2022 where he batted .267 with 51 runs scored, 25 doubles, seven home runs and 51 RBIs in 135 games played.

Things haven’t been as smooth sailing for Espinal since his departure from the Blue Jays

However, his offensive struggles that he endured towards the end of 2022 would carry over into his 2023 campaign with Toronto. As a result, he was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds prior to the 2024 season as a solution to the Blue Jays’ infield logjam at the time. After two subpar seasons with the Reds which saw his production numbers decline drastically during 2025, Espinal would get his opportunity with the NL West juggernauts and defending World Series champions Los Angeles Dodgers to begin the 2026 season.

Unfortunately, the 31-year-old infielder would last only 36 games with the Dodgers, compiling a .268 average, .651 OPS, along with just five runs scored, one home run and seven RBIs in a bench role. Espinal would eventually be designated for assignment in mid-June to make room for Tommy Edman coming off the injured list.

That was when the Rangers picked him up on the minor league deal to serve as infield depth in the organization. However, Espinal didn’t make enough of a lasting impression with their Triple-A affiliate Round Rock and was now released from the organization.

Hopefully, he will receive another opportunity to revive his MLB career after several teams making moves at the trade deadline. With plenty of potential spots opening on teams that sold off everyday roster assets, it might be enough for Espinal to land a gig for the remainder of the season. And who knows, wouldn’t it be something if that surprising opportunity would come from the Blue Jays.

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