Brandon Valenzuela's future with Blue Jays could take path of team's 2022 trade with Diamondbacks

Toronto Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela has arguably been his team’s best hitter over the past month, putting himself in a position for increased playing time, even if it’s for another team. 

The Mexican native was called up from Triple-A Buffalo in early April after starter Alejandro Kirk was placed on the 60-day IL with a fractured thumb. The 25-year-old has been impressive while receiving the lion’s share of playing time during Kirk’s absence. He’s hit .254 with five doubles, seven home runs, 17 RBI, and a .792 OPS in 47 games. He’s thrown out 22.5% (9/40) of potential base stealers and has achieved a 1.4 bWAR in his limited time in the major leagues. 

Since April 29, the numbers are even better. A .292 average, with six homers, and a .921 OPS with almost as many walks as strikeouts (16/20) over his last 34 games, Valenzuela has flashed star potential while being a bright spot in what has been a deeply disappointing lineup. 

Could Valenzuela's hot start land him on the trading block?

With Kirk now back with the club, Toronto boasts one of the best catching tandems in the majors, a position this organization isn’t completely unfamiliar with. In 2022, the Blue Jays featured Kirk, who was coming off his first All-Star appearance, and Danny Jansen, who clubbed 15 home runs in a part-time role.

Waiting in the wings was Gabriel Moreno, the team’s top prospect at the time, who was a big part of a blockbuster trade with Lourdes Gurriel Jr. headed to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for outfielder Daulton Varsho.

The trade generated plenty of controversy, but it has paid dividends for both teams. Moreno won a Gold Glove in his first season in the desert, but injuries have prevented him from reaching the heights of that first season (4.3 bWAR in 111 games played in 2023, 5.7 bWAR in 228 games since). Gurriel Jr. made his only All-Star team in ‘23, but has seen his OPS+ drop to 96 in 2025 and plummet to 64 in just 26 games played this season.

Varsho has a pair of 20-home run seasons in Toronto and won his first Gold Glove following the 2024 campaign. Last season, he showed off a prolific power stroke, with 20 homers in just 71 games played. He’s moved to a more contact-friendly approach this season, which has led to a higher batting average (.256 compared to .238) and a lower strikeout rate (19.1%/28.4%), but a much lower OPS (.738/.833). He’s also struggled mightily with staying on the field over the past two seasons. 

With Valenzuela’s breakout coinciding with an injury-riddled, disappointing season, could Toronto repeat history and package him in a trade that may allow them to strengthen another element of their roster? It’s possible. Valenzuela would represent an upgrade for many teams as a catcher and would enable the Blue Jays to upgrade their bullpen, or add a position player to a lineup that has lacked slug this season. 

The Rays and Guardians are two contending teams that have gotten scant offensive production from their backstops this season and could factor into a potential swap. The Rays have gotten just two home runs and an 81 OPS+ from Nick Fortes and Hunter Feduccia. While Austin Hedges has punched his way to a 98 OPS+ this season, that number seems unsustainable, considering it’s almost double his career OPS+ of 54. The similarly swinging Patrck Bailey backs him up (63 OPS+, 73 career OPS+).

Obviously, any trade would have to make sense for Toronto. Valenzuela appears to have played his way out of the twice-a-week max role that Tyler Heineman flourished under last season. He’s played some first base in the minor leagues, but never since making his MLB debut. With William Simoneit (.891 OPS) and Willie McIver (22 RBI, .742 OPS) both raking for the Bisons, trading Valenzuela could be the unexpected move that gets this season back on track. 

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