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Blue Jays deal from outfield depth with White Sox in first move of the Trade Deadline

After years in the minor leagues, Will Robertson gets a real chance at the majors with the White Sox
ByBaron Dionis|
Arizona Diamondbacks v Toronto Blue Jays
Arizona Diamondbacks v Toronto Blue Jays | Vaughn Ridley/GettyImages

Just three weeks away from the MLB Trade Deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays have kicked off their trade season with a minor deal with the Chicago White Sox. They sent Will Robertson to Chicago in exchange for cash considerations.

Making this deal helps Toronto in numerous ways. First of all, Robertson is no longer on the 40 man roster, which was established once he was DFA’d a few days ago. Additionally, he won’t be optioned to Triple-A anymore, which will break up the clump of outfielders in Buffalo, allowing prospects Alan Roden and Yohendrick Pinango to continue getting everyday at bats and playing time.

Blue Jays trade Will Robertson to White Sox in minor deal ahead of Trade Deadline.

Lastly, it may not have been very much, but getting any bit of cash in exchange for him will help this organization acquire more talent at the deadline. They have big goals this year with a big window to make the postseason. Adding cash can really help add that missing piece and push further towards the playoffs.

Robertson isn’t exactly a major loss to the Blue Jays’ outfield depth either, so really being able to land something for him is a win. He made his debut this season at 27 years old and went just 1/10 at the plate. There wasn't much value in him to package in a deal for a bigger player at the deadline, so getting something here was good work by Blue Jays General Manager Ross Atkins.

Even though the outfield is short right now without Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander, the depth is completely fine. Now that there is slightly more wiggle room with payroll, the Blue Jays can go after the stud starting pitcher that they really need. Mitch Keller is a big target, but his contract is over $15 million a year, which will progressively increase the next few years.

Time will tell with who the Blue Jays acquire at the deadline, but trades like this are a great start. Multiple depth packages will be traded to impact the big league roster and now that Toronto has established ground in first place, they should be much more aggressive.