Blue Jays Make Roster Move After Trade With Astros..
Veteran reliever and Canada native Zach Pop’s time in the Great White North has officially ended. The Toronto Blue Jays released Pop, a mainstay in their bullpen the last few seasons, on Wednesday. Toronto designated the 28-year-old last week when finalizing its Opening Day roster. Pop’s release came after Toronto traded reliever Nick Robertson to the Houston Astros for pitching prospect Edinson Batista. Pop totaled a 4.89 ERA and -1.2 bWAR across 90 games with the Blue Jays over the last three seasons. Toronto acquired him and Anthony Bass from the Miami Marlins in an August 2022 trade. The Blue Jays cut Bass in June 2023 amid a slow start and a controversial Instagram post. Pop,
to his credit, stuck around slightly longer. At first, it looked like the Blue Jays found a hidden gem when Pop posted a 1.89 ERA in 17 games to close out 2022. However, reality soon set in. Pop pitched to a 6.59 ERA over 15 outings in 2023 and spent most of the season’s final months in Triple-A. Pop recorded a 5.59 ERA and -1.4 bWAR in 48.1 innings last year. Pop doesn’t turn 29 until September, and he’s young enough to still catch on somewhere as minor-league depth. However, it might be some time before the 2017 seventh-round pick throws off a big-league mound again. Selfishly, we hope the Blue Jays bring Pop back on a minor-league deal at some point. It’s always fun seeing a Canadian player suiting up for the Blue Jays.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. contract drama has masked electric start from one Blue Jays star.
The Toronto Blue Jays have dominated the headlines over the last few months for a few different reasons, but they all revolve around superstar first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Guerrero is entering the final year of his contract and will head into free agency at the end of the 2025 season. Toronto has worked hard to try to extend his contract, but the front office has failed to meet his demands.
The lack of a contract extension led many around the league to believe the Blue Jays could eventually look into trading Guerrero in a move that would be reminiscent of the San Diego Padres’ decision to trade Juan Soto to the New York Yankees. Those trade rumors have since died down as Guerrero Jr. and the Blue Jays continue to engage in contract extension talks.
The fact that the two sides are still discussing a potential contract is good news for the Blue Jays because a lot of superstars would have shut those discussions down and told the team to sign him in free agency. Initially, Vladdy set a hard deadline of prior to Opening Day for contract negotiations. He has since changed his mind, as Guerrero at least seems willing to discuss a deal this season, even if it’s unlikely.
But this contract drama has completely overshadowed everything else going on with the team including a very hot start from one of the team’s star outfielders.
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