Blue Jays’ new outfielder Daulton Varisho is a special guy

Finally, the Toronto Blue Jays have won. executed a big trade Involving one of their catchers Friday, sending Gabriel Moreno Jr. and Lourdes Guriel Jr. to Arizona Diamondbacks in trade for Daulton Varsho (a versatile outfielder).

Arizona and Toronto were viewed as potential trade partners right from the start of the offseason. The Jays were short on left-handed-hitting catchers and had too many outfielders for their major-league roster. This made it a natural swap.

Early reactions to the Trade

I like this trade; it’s about as even as it can get for both sides.

Varsho, a top defensive outfielder who has good pop from the left, quickly slides into the Blue Jays outfield. He joins forces with Kevin Kiermaier (center) and George Springer (right). Toronto has the most formidable defensive outfield in baseball.

If Varsho has a similar 2022 season (109 OPS+ and 4.9 bWAR), the trade will still be valid. However, the Blue Jays expect Varsho to improve his skills at the plate, especially his on-base skills (he currently has a weak.306 career OBP).

It cost legit assets for Toronto to acquire the 26-year-old Varsho (punting on Moreno’s future is tough) but the move gives the Blue Jays a well-rounded, athletic, left-handed-hitting player under team control through 2026.

Varsho is Special

Varsho began outfield reps in the minor leagues in 2019 and has steadily improved his defense since. He reached a new peak in 2022 when he led all outfielders with 18 runs above the average. Varsho’s arm isn’t exceptional, but he makes up for it with an excellent jump, above-average sprint speed, and an all-in mentality.

“My mindset is always fast and physical,” Varsho said in his introductory Zoom press conference. “I think that parlays a little bit with my football background … growing up, I didn’t like to take things slow. I will go full head of steam if I am going after a ballpark baseball.

Varsho, who is the son and former MLBer Gary Varsho’s, is versatile. He can play all positions in outfield as well as catcher. He has good power at the plate with 27 home runs last year and a career slash of.234/.306/.432. Varsho’s struggles with left-handed pitching have been evident throughout his career. Varsho slugged.339 against lefties and.445 against righties. As Varsho gets settled in Toronto, these splits will need improvement.

MLB’s plan to ban the shift in 2023 should also help Varsho. The Wisconsin native is a powerful pull hitter. In 2022, his.589 OPS against shift defences dragged down his overall numbers. Varsho’s also quite creative at the dish, known for dropping the occasional drag bunt and using his speed to race up the line.

Blue Jays players reached out to their new teammate already.

“I think it’s a very fun group,” Varsho said. “Bo Bichette texted me this morning, welcomed me to the team. And it’s just pretty cool, all those little things, it means a lot to me because it creates a little family bond.”

Toronto’s Players Are Expelled

The Diamondbacks weren’t willing to deal Varsho unless Gurriel was included, according to Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins.

“Prospect-driven deals weren’t as attractive to [Arizona],” Atkins told reporters Saturday.

Toronto didn’t necessarily enter this winter looking to deal Gurriel, whose contract is up at the end of 2023. He was replaced by Varsho, who is a better lineup fit and filled his outfield spot. Gurriel’s career .285 batting average will be missed in Toronto, but, ultimately, Varsho has more to give in terms of defence and baserunning.

Atkins also said his club listened to offers on all three catchers – Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk, and Moreno – before shipping Moreno to Arizona. The relationships the veteran catchers have with Toronto’s pitching staff are very important, and Atkins explained the clubhouse impact would’ve been a factor in the subtraction of Jansen or Kirk. While Jansen’s defensive skillset isn’t top-notch, the 27-year-old is a leader and an excellent communicator, revered for game planning and helping pitchers and coaches work together smoothly.

What’s Next?

Atkins indicated that the hard work is over. The Blue Jays will look to make “incremental improvements” before Opening Day, ideally by adding another bench bat. Handedness isn’t a massive priority for the club at this point.

“In our view, it doesn’t need to be right-handed or left-handed,” Atkins said. “It’s more about the impact and the fit beyond that.”

This roster would be even more delicious if it had a lefty masher or a late-inning reliever. A.J. Pollock and Tommy Pham. Will Smith and Corey Knebel are the obvious options for relief pitching. Michael Fulmer is also an option. In-house options include Yosver Zulueta and Nate Pearson, who are both hard-throwing pitchers with a chance of making the Opening Day roster.

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