Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Jays trade Moreno, Gurriel to D-backs for Varsho

Written by 
Published in Baseball
Friday, 23 December 2022 15:55

The Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks completed a trade Friday that sent outfielder Daulton Varsho to Toronto for top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr..

After an offseason in which the Diamondbacks have sought to deal from their outfield surplus and the Blue Jays from their surfeit of catchers, the sides came together on one of the biggest deals of the winter and filled glaring needs for both.

Varsho, 26, broke out in 2022 with 27 home runs and well-above-average defense in center field and right field. One of the Diamondbacks' four young left-handed-hitting outfielders, along with Corbin Carroll, Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas, Varsho batted .235/.302/.443 and stole 16 bases.

Moreno, 22, is widely regarded as a top-10 prospect in baseball because of his elite bat-to-ball skills and throwing arm. He showcased both during a cup of coffee with the Blue Jays this year, when he hit .319/.356/.377 in 73 plate appearances, struck out just eight times and threw out seven of 17 runners.

The Blue Jays were open to trading Moreno because they already have All-Star Alejandro Kirk and veteran Danny Jansen at catcher. Toronto's desire for a left-handed bat to complement a lineup that includes the right-handed-hitting Kirk, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, George Springer and Matt Chapman was clear.

With Springer, Varsho and Kevin Kiermaier, whom they signed as a free agent this winter, the Blue Jays will have one of the best defensive outfields in baseball.

The Diamondbacks had the opposite problem of the Blue Jays, in that they had a left-handed heavy lineup. Moreno and Gurriel are both right-handed hitters, which balances out the batting order as the Diamondbacks, who finished with a 74-88 record last season, try to compete in the loaded NL West with the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres.

Gurriel, 29, has spent five seasons with the Blue Jays and hit .291/.343/.400 this season. He is owed $5.8 million next year and will reach free agency after the 2024 season.

Gurriel is the brother of the Houston Astros' Yuli Gurriel, while Varsho is the son of former MLB outfielder Gary Varsho.

To make room on the 40-man roster for both players, Arizona designated catcher Ali Sanchez for assignment.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Read 203 times

Soccer

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

Utd chief: Club aiming for the top under Amorim

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United are aiming to get back "to the top of domestic an...

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

Real Madrid president blasted in Ballon d'Or row

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA Namibian journalist criticised by Florentino Pérez for failing to...

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

Barça to close singing section due to unpaid fines

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona will close a section behind the goal at the Olympic Stadi...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

Malone rips into Nuggets after Knicks put up 145

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsAfter his Denver Nuggets "got embarrassed" in a 145-118 blowout los...

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

C's celebrate Porzingis' return with dominant win

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBOSTON -- In his first game since helping the Celtics win the NBA c...

Baseball

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

Starter or reliever? Stay with the Phillies or go elsewhere? All-Star Jeff Hoffman opens up on free agency

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsJeff Hoffman is one of the most sought-after relievers in this offs...

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

Rays asked to declare stadium decision by Sunday

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe Tampa Bay Rays have until Sunday to declare whether they want t...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated