Blue Jays returning to same confusing well with latest pair of roster moves

Entering the 2024 campaign, the Toronto Blue Jays had one of the more sound catching duos in all of baseball. Alejandro Kirk was on hand as the defensive-minded option who could occasionally put together a hot streak on offense while Danny Jansen was a bat-first option who at times flashed potential of a solid defender behind the plate, too.

Jansen was dealt to the Red Sox at the trade deadline, opening the door for Kirk to become the Jays' full-time catcher. Brian Serven, a light-hitting backstop who was claimed off waivers from the Cubs earlier this year, stepped in as the backup.

On Monday, the Blue Jays took to social media (X link) to announce that Serven was being designated for assignment. In his place, Tyler Heineman has been claimed off of waivers from the very same Red Sox that landed Jansen in the not-so-distant past. He's going to take over the duties as backup catcher.

Blue Jays claim Tyler Heineman, DFA Brian Serven

For those keeping track at home, this is going to be Heineman's third time through the Blue Jays' system. He first made a 10-game cameo in 2022 for the Jays, going 4-for-15 with a pair of doubles and an RBI. He was claimed off of waivers by the Pirates in May and eventually made his way back to Toronto in an April of 2023 trade for utilityman Vinny Capra.

In 19 games for the 2023 Jays, the switch-hitter went 8-for-29 (.276) with seven walks and seven strikeouts, posting a respectable .812 OPS and 129 OPS+. He's not known for his offensive prowess by any means, but this output was a welcomed bonus to go along with his skills behind the plate.

This year, Heineman's big league time has consisted of just two games and three plate appearances for the Red Sox. He struck out once and did not reach base before being outrighted off of Boston's 40-man roster on the 14th of September.

Serven, 29, got into 28 big league contests for the Blue Jays prior to his DFA. He posted a .159 average and .465 OPS, which seriously highlights where his value lies.

Serven wound up serving as Bowden Francis's unofficial "personal catcher" over the past month or so. He was behind the dish for Francis's seven-strikeout showing against the Orioles on Aug. 7, his seven shutout-inning performance against the Cubs on Aug. 18, his first near-no-hitter against the Angels on Aug. 24, his domination over the Red Sox on Aug. 29 and his second near-no-hitter over the Mets on Sept. 11.