Beloved former Blue Jays catcher finds new home in AL East

Toronto Blue Jays v San Francisco Giants
Toronto Blue Jays v San Francisco Giants | Lachlan Cunningham/GettyImages

One of the more beloved Blue Jays players in recent memory is catcher Danny Jansen. Although they shipped him off to their rival, the Boston Red Sox, during the MLB Trade Deadline, the former Blue Jay was a very productive piece to the team within the last decade, making him a fan favorite.

But on Friday, Jansen will be heading to a different rival on a one-year deal worth $8.5 million, including a mutual option for 2026. Jansen will be a Tampa Bay Ray for the 2025 campaign.

Robert Murray of FanSided reported that he had other multi-year offers, but he ultimately chose to sign a one-year deal to prove himself after his poor 2024 season.

Blue Jays miss out on reunion with Danny Jansen after he signs with the Tampa Bay Rays on a one year contract

Last season with Toronto and Boston, Jansen batted .206, slugging nine home runs and driving in 24. He finished with a .655 OPS, 89 wRC+ and a strikeout percentage of 18.9%. Jansen's defense also lacked in 2024, with a -11 defensive runs saved mark and -3 fielding run value.

What the Rays are looking to get out of Jansen is his offensive production from 2021-2023. Within those three seasons, Jansen hit 43 home runs with 125 RBI and an .805 OPS. Additionally, he hit 38 doubles with a .487 slugging percentage.

On the defensive side, the Rays are getting the best blocker in baseball, as he ranked in the 100th percentile in blocks above average at 14. He lacks a bit in pop time, but his framing throughout his career has been average.

Jansen also brings great plate discipline to Tampa Bay. His chase rate was at just 20.3% and his whiff rate was just 20.9%. He also has an impressive walk percentage of 12.3% and squares balls up at a 28.7% rate.

The Blue Jays definitely missed out on a valuable player from his previous Toronto days, but they still have Alejandro Kirk locked in as the starter for next season. Kirk and Jansen were a productive duo in the past, but that is no more. The Blue Jays could have used Jansen in 2025, but he ultimately chose to go down south to a rival.

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