Checking in on how traded former Blue Jays are doing on their new clubs

Kevin Kiermaier

With Kevin Kiermaier heading for retirement following the end of the 2024 MLB season, the Jays traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers to give him one more shot at a championship title. However, his days as a full-time contributing starter is likely behind him as he currently serves as a complementary piece to the Dodgers’ lineup as a part-time player.

Kiermaier has appeared in 18 games with his new club thus far, compiling a .231 average, .653 OPS, with 4 runs scored, one double, one triple, one home run, 5 RBI and one stolen base. His average and OPS numbers were actually a slight improvement from what he was putting up with the Jays this season. But with the Dodgers mainly looking for just his elite defense whenever he played, any modest offensive contributions would suffice for them.

Yusei Kikuchi

Finally, we have the newly, reinvented Yusei Kikuchi of all people. After being part of the blockbuster deal that netted the Jays with three promising top prospects, Kikuchi has evolved into a completely different pitcher since joining the Houston Astros. Over five starts, he has amassed a stellar 2.89 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, giving up just 9 earned runs on 10 walks and 35 strikeouts in just 28 innings pitched.

Even though it has been just a small sample size, he has shown renewed confidence and effectiveness in his pitching since making the proper adjustments in his mechanics with the Astros. Although many may have felt that the Jays fleeced the Astros in the trade transaction, if Kikuchi ends up helping the Astros to a deep playoff run, it could actually be a lot closer than most expected.