10 former Blue Jays who are playing in the 2024 MLB postseason

Former Blue Jays whose playoff hopes just ended

Atlanta Braves (3)

The Braves just barely made the playoffs and were also one of the first teams sent packing. Three former Blue Jays were on their Wild Card roster and just had their playoff hopes dashed. This includes the following:

• Jesse Chavez, a 41-year-old reliever who's just wrapping up his 17th season in the big leagues. He made nine appearances for the 2012 Blue Jays and then 39 more in 2016. At this point, he's played for practically every team at some point.
• Whit Merrifield, who spent a year and a half in Toronto before hitting free agency this past offseason. He was a solid player for the Jays, even making an All-Star Game in 2023, but his production fell off a cliff this year in 95 games split between the Phillies and Braves.
• Gio Urshela, a nine-year veteran whose Blue Jays tenure consisted of just 19 games back in 2018. He's bounced around the league a little bit but is still able to find a job every year as he still swings a decent bat and can play multiple positions around the infield.

Houston Astros (1)

The Astros' dynasty may finally be coming to a close after their latest premature playoff exit. They have been one of the AL's best teams for years, but the underdog Tigers sent them packing early this season. Only one former Blue Jays player was on their roster at the time of their elimination.

• Yusei Kikuchi, traded from Toronto to Houston at this year's deadline, is the lone representative here. The left-hander was rock-solid for the Blue Jays across his three years north of the border (especially in 2023 and the first-half of 2024), but he really elevated his game down in Houston. In 10 starts for the Astros, he went 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA, 3.07 FIP and 147 ERA+.

Milwaukee Brewers (1)

In one of the most depressing twists of fate we've seen in quite some time, the Brewers were just three outs away from toppling the Mets and advancing to the NLDS. Instead, pending free agent Pete Alonso (who sure would look great in a Blue Jays uniform) hit a three-run home run in the top of the ninth that gave the Mets a lead they never relinquished. On the roster in the WC Series was just one former Blue Jay.

• Joel Payamps, who made 22 relief appearances for the 2021 Blue Jays, has been one of the more oft-used relievers on the Brewers for the past two seasons. He has made a combined 137 appearances in just two years, posting a 2.78 ERA in 129.2 innings. On the Jays, he had a 2.70 ERA in 30 innings but walked more batters than the Jays were comfortable with.