Former Blue Jays trade acquisition resurfaces with Mariners

A few years back, the Blue Jays acquired Zach Pop and Anthony Bass from the Marlins for Jordan Groshans. The trade in 2022 really helped the team shape up their bullpen en-route to a 92 win season. Flash forward to 2015 and neither of those players are still on the team. Bass was released by the team in 2023, and Pop is heading back to the big leagues with the Mariners, after Toronto designated him for free agency this past April.

Seattle selected his contract after signing him to a minor league deal, shortly following when Toronto released him in April. After struggling badly with the Blue Jays, it was interesting to see another team take a chance on him. He earned his way back up to the big leagues though with a solid few outings in Triple-A.

Former Blue Jays' reliever Zach Pop will return to the big leagues with the Mariners.

Within the Mariners' minor league system, he delivered a 2.79 ERA with a 4.31 FIP and 8.38 K/9. He recovered from some elbow inflammation too and now that he is healthy, Seattle will try him out at the big league level.

Looking back on the trade, it did work out in Toronto's favor as he helped push them into the playoffs, despite losing to Seattle in the Wild Card. Nonetheless, he helped get them there, along with Bass. Like Pop, Bass struggled following 2022 and has not pitching in the big leagues since 2023.

The highly ranked prospect in Groshans has bounced from three teams since getting traded, including the Marlins, Yankees, and Royals, where he currently plays. He has barely played in the major leagues and has accounted for a -0.1 fWAR and 75 wRC+.

Three years later from the trade, it was definitely a success for the Blue Jays. Nonetheless, it stinks that the relievers weren’t able to figure things out as long term guys in the bullpen, but they played a big role in 2022.

Now Pop will join Seattle’s bullpen. Hopefully he does well with them and as we wish things worked out in Toronto, we can only wish him the best over there. At least whenever he pitches against teams not named the Blue Jays.