Blue Jays: Teoscar Hernandez Traded to the Seattle Mariners

The Toronto Blue Jays have traded outfielder Teoscar Hernandez to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for RHP Erik Swanson and LHP Adam Macko. It has been made official by the team.

As first reported by Jeff Passan, this deal will come as a shock to some. Teo was a fan favourite and has been one of the most dangerous outfielders in the AL since his breakout in 2020. He’s averaged a .852 OPS since that season while mostly playing right field. Hernandez will be a free agent after the 2023 season, but fills the needs of the Mariners nicely after losing Mitch Haniger to free agency.

In return, the Blue Jays received a top-tier relief pitcher in Swanson and an interesting prospect in Macko. Swanson broke out last year, pitching to a 1.68 ERA over 53.2 innings while accumulating 11.7 K/9 with a lowly 1.7 BB/9 and 0.5 HR/9. Macko was ranked as the eighth highest prospect in the Mariners system as per MLB.com. The left-handed Slovakian is a high potential arm with a mix of velocity and movement.

Swanson works towards addressing the needs in the bullpen, as he fits the bill for exactly what the team is looking for. Losing Teoscar will sting, especially while having to watch him in another uniform, but a move was likely coming one way or another. The Blue Jays swap an impact player on an expiring contract for much needed pitching help.

Teoscar was expected to make somewhere in the $14 million range. With this much cleared, and not much in new money coming over with Swanson, expect this newfound money to be invested somewhere else.

This deal opens up the outfield a great deal, and all but assures that an outfielder will be acquired to fill the vacancy left by Teo. Whether that's a centre fielder and Springer moves to right field, or the Jays acquire another corner outfielder remains to be seen.