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Grading all 8 Blue Jays trade deadline deals made in 2024 one year later

How has last years trade deadline panned out for the Toronto Blue Jays?
ByEdward Eng|
Detroit Tigers v Toronto Blue Jays
Detroit Tigers v Toronto Blue Jays | Vaughn Ridley/GettyImages
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Toronto Blue Jays trade Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros for Jake Bloss, Joey Loperfido and Will Wagner

Kikuch
Jul 26, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) pitches to the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Thought to be a fleece of epic proportions by the Blue Jays at the time, the Yusei Kikuchi trade with the Houston Astros may have evened out over the past year. Kikuchi helped the Astros reach the postseason in 2024 and signed with the Los Angeles Angels for 2025. The 34-year-old veteran has helped anchor an Angels pitching staff by compiling a solid 3.01 ERA while striking out close to a batter per inning over 16 starts.

The Blue Jays in return received a package of prospects that included outfielder Joey Loperfido, who has been stuck in Buffalo this season after becoming almost a regular for Toronto down the stretch in 2024. Loperfido has posted an impressive .281 average, .788 OPS, along with 34 runs scored, 16 doubles, five home runs, 33 RBIs and nine stolen bases in 65 games as he awaits his chance.

Infielder Will Wagner began the year with the Blue Jays, but was demoted back to the minors for more seasoning. Wagner has posted a modest .269 average, .771 OPS, with nine runs scored, two home runs and 11 RBIs in 13 games. Meanwhile, pitcher Jake Bloss has been lost for the season due to an UCL injury in his right elbow.

With the Jays desperately looking for a consistent starter for their back end of the rotation in 2025, Kikuchi would have been the ideal candidate to fulfill that role. But the potential of the three prospects still gives the Jays much hope for the future.
Grade B

Toronto Blue Jays trade Justin Turner and cash to the Seattle Mariners for R.J. Schreck

Turne
Jul 29, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first base Justin Turner (2) bats against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images | Reggie Hildred-Imagn Images

Amidst a down season for veteran Justin Turner in 2024, the Jays managed to convert him into an asset in outfielder R.J. Schreck in a trade with the Mariners. Turner would provide decent value to Seattle down the stretch, but this year with the Chicago Cubs, Turner has been less productive, compiling just a .204 average, and .545 OPS in 40 contests.

As for Schreck, he is now in the Blue Jays’ top 20 prospects ranked at No. 18. Schreck was recently promoted to Triple-A Buffalo after a strong start in New Hampshire where he batted .266 with a .914 OPS, 27 runs scored, nine home runs, 20 RBIs and five stolen bases in 41 games. Schreck has two home runs and four RBIs in nine games with Buffalo.

This move becomes a win for the Jays as they suddenly have some much-needed depth in their outfield for the future.
Grade: B+