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

Toronto Blue Jays trade Kevin Kiermaier to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Ryan Yarbrough 

When the Jays moved fan favourite Kevin Kiermaier to the Los Angeles Dodgers for the stretch run last year, to give Kiermaier the opportunity to win a World Series ring before his eventual retirement. He ultimately accomplished that feat despite limited playing time with the Dodgers throughout their championship run. In the end, Kiermaier saw 34 games of action with four more during the playoffs to conclude his illustrious career. However, the Jays managed to get a surprising return in pitcher Ryan Yarbrough.

Yarbrough would provide the Jays with top-notch pitching out of their bullpen for the final two months of 2024, posting a stellar 2.01 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, along with just seven walks and 26 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings pitched over 12 relief appearances.

Despite that impressive audition for 2025, Toronto somehow couldn’t see any value in that and eventually lost Yarbrough to the New York Yankees prior to the start of the regular season. As a result, the 33-year-old veteran has been excelling so far with the Jays’ division rivals.

Had the Jays made the wise decision in keeping Yarbrough, the trade deal would have been without a doubt an A. However, with Kiermaier retiring and Yarbrough no longer with the team, they effectively cancel each other out. Grade: B-

Toronto Blue Jays trade Isiah Kiner-Falefa to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Charles McAdoo

Utilityman Isiah Kiner-Falefa had a productive season last year and was able to net the Jays with a prime prospect in Charles McAdoo from Pittsburgh. But since moving to the Pirates, Kiner-Falefa’s production has dropped off considerably compared to the rate he was producing with Toronto. In 114 games with the Pirates, the 30-year-old utilityman has accumulated just a .262 average, .635 OPS, 43 runs scored, two home runs and 27 RBIs. Just for comparison, he put up a .292 average, .758 OPS, 32 runs scored, seven home runs and 33 RBIs in just 83 games during his time with the Jays.

McAdoo has loads of potential as he currently ranks 12th on the Jays’ top 30 prospects list. However, he has been having some challenges at the Double-A level. In 55 games with New Hampshire, McAdoo has compiled just a .220 average, .633 OPS, with 26 runs scored, 12 doubles, four home runs, 17 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He has shown signs of turning things around in June with a .273 average and .764 OPS for the month while going a perfect seven-for-seven in stolen bases. This gives Toronto a potential solid future utilityman.
Grade: B