The Major League Baseball trade deadline has passed, and teams have been making moves left and right. One of the biggest trades involved the Toronto Blue Jays sending their top prospect and an established outfielder to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for a promising young player.
Among those involved in the trade was Lourdes Gurriel Jr., a fan favorite and important member of the Blue Jays roster. Fans have been curious to know if Gurriel Jr. was indeed traded, and what this means for his future in the league.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
The Toronto Blue Jays made a surprising move in the MLB offseason by trading top prospect Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the Arizona Diamondbacks for outfielder Daulton Varsho.
This article will focus on Lourdes Gurriel Jr., providing some background information on him, his performance with the Blue Jays, and speculations on why he was traded.
Background Information on Gurriel Jr.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is a Cuban-born baseball player who was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in November 2016.
Gurriel Jr. comes from a baseball family with his father, Lourdes Gurriel Sr., a former professional baseball player in Cuba, and his brother, Yuli Gurriel, is currently a standout player in the MLB for the Houston Astros.
His Performance with the Blue Jays
Gurriel Jr. made his debut in the MLB in 2018, and since then, he has shown flashes of brilliance with the Blue Jays. In his first season, Gurriel Jr. hit .281 with 11 home runs and 35 RBIs in just 65 games.
The following season, Gurriel Jr. struggled with injuries and inconsistency, hitting just .277 with 20 home runs and 50 RBIs in 84 games.
In the 2020 shortened season, Gurriel Jr. bounced back and had his best season to date, hitting .308 with 11 home runs and 33 RBIs in 57 games. He was also a key player in the Blue Jays’ playoff push, hitting .333 with two home runs and five RBIs in the Wild Card Series against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Speculations on Why He Was Traded
Despite Gurriel Jr.’s improvement in the 2020 season, the Blue Jays’ decision to trade him was not unexpected. The Blue Jays have a crowded outfield with players like George Springer, Teoscar Hernandez, and Randal Grichuk, all capable of starting.
The acquisition of Daulton Varsho also suggests that the Blue Jays may be looking to add depth at catcher, a position where Gurriel Jr. has played in the past.
Additionally, trading Gurriel Jr. may have been a necessary move to acquire Daulton Varsho, who is highly rated by the Diamondbacks organization.
The move also allowed the Blue Jays to hold onto their top prospects, Austin Martin and Jordan Groshans, who are expected to make an impact on the team in the future.
In conclusion, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was a valuable player for the Blue Jays during his time with the team. His performance on the field was impressive, but the crowded outfield and the need for depth at the catcher position made trading him a necessary move.
Trading him allowed the Blue Jays to acquire a highly-rated young player in Daulton Varsho while also holding onto their top prospects. It’s now left to see how Varsho will perform with the Blue Jays and if Gurriel Jr. can continue his form with the Diamondbacks.
Gabriel Moreno
Background information on Moreno
Gabriel Moreno is a 21-year-old catcher from Venezuela who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as an international free agent in 2016. He made his professional debut in 2018 and quickly impressed the Blue Jays’ coaching staff with his hitting, fielding, and throwing skills.
Moreno has steadily climbed the ranks of the Blue Jays minor league system, showcasing his talents in several levels of the organization.
His potential as a top prospect
Moreno is widely considered one of the top prospects in baseball. He was ranked as the third-best prospect in the Blue Jays’ system by MLB Pipeline and the 66th-best prospect in baseball.
Moreno has shown impressive skills both at the plate and behind it. He’s improved his hitting mechanics, making consistent contact with the ball and showing some power potential.
He has a good eye for the strike zone, drawing walks, and minimizing strikeouts. Moreno’s strength, however, lies in his defense. He’s an excellent receiver, blocker, and thrower, possessing a strong and accurate arm capable of gunning down many would-be base stealers.
Impact on the Diamondbacks’ system
The Diamondbacks’ acquisition of Moreno should significantly boost their minor league system. Moreno becomes one of Arizona’s top prospects, joining a strong group of catchers in the Diamondbacks’ farm system.
The addition of Moreno brings much-needed youth and depth to the Diamondbacks’ catching pipeline, giving them a potential long-term solution behind the plate.
Moreno’s elite defense and improving offense make him an exciting prospect, and Arizona’s fans will likely look forward to seeing him develop in their system. In summary, the Diamondbacks’ acquisition of Gabriel Moreno signifies a significant move in their rebuilding process.
They have added a top-tier catching prospect with excellent defense and hitting potential, which should excite the team’s fan base and be a building block for future success. Moreno’s skills and potential suggest that he could be a valuable asset for Arizona in the years to come.
Daulton Varsho
Background information on Varsho
Daulton Varsho was born on July 2, 1996, in Chili, Wisconsin. He is a professional baseball player who plays as a catcher and outfielder. Daulton Varsho’s father, Gary Varsho, was also a professional baseball player.
Varsho played collegiate baseball at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before being drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the second round of the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.
His performance with the Diamondbacks
Since joining the Diamondbacks organization, Varsho has made a name for himself as a highly versatile and dynamic player. In 2019, he was named the Diamondbacks Minor League Player of the Year, having hit .301 with 18 home runs and 58 RBI across two minor league levels.
Varsho made his Major League debut for the Diamondbacks in July 2020, hitting .188 with three home runs and nine RBI in 37 games played. During the 2021 season, he played in 75 games and had a batting average of .205 with 11 home runs and 24 RBI.
His potential in the Blue Jays’ system
The Blue Jays traded top prospect Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the Diamondbacks for Daulton Varsho, indicating their high expectations for the player.
Varsho has shown that he is a versatile and talented player, which could benefit the Blue Jays in various ways. His ability to play both catcher and outfield positions provides the team with more flexibility and depth. Moreover, his power and speed make him a potential asset on both sides of the game.
Furthermore, the Blue Jays have shown that they are willing to utilize prospects to bolster their chances of making the playoffs, as seen with the signing of former MVP outfielder George Springer. The addition of Varsho further solidifies their commitment to winning now while building for the future.
Daulton Varsho’s versatility, power, and potential make him an exciting addition to the Blue Jays and a player to watch in the coming seasons.
Impact on the Teams
How the Trade Affects the Blue Jays
The Blue Jays traded two valuable players in Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to acquire Daulton Varsho. It’s a trade that might leave fans of the Blue Jays scratching their heads because both Moreno and Gurriel Jr. are excellent young players.
Moreno, in particular, is a top-rated prospect who many believe would soon be a crucial part of the Blue Jays’ starting lineup. The trade will significantly impact the Blue Jays’ future plans, as it changes their outlook for the next few years.
They lose out on a potential long-term replacement for catcher Danny Jansen in Gabriel Moreno. They also have to replace the production of Gurriel Jr., who was having a breakout season offensively.
However, with the addition of Daulton Varsho, the Blue Jays gain an outfielder with impressive power and speed. Varsho is a versatile player who can play in the outfield and behind home plate.
His addition to the lineup gives the Blue Jays a more potent offense, which they need if they want to make a deep run into the playoffs.
How the Trade Affects the Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks got two excellent young players in Gabriel Moreno and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., both of whom have tremendous potential. Gurriel Jr. is an established player who can add depth and spark the Diamondbacks’ offense.
Moreno, on the other hand, is a catcher with impressive skills and athleticism, and he should feature prominently for the Diamondbacks in the future.
The trade will help the Diamondbacks replenish their depleted farm system. Gabriel Moreno is a top-rated prospect who gives them an influx of young talent that they can develop into valuable contributors.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. will provide an immediate boost to the Diamondbacks’ offense, and he should fit in well with their team.
The Potential Long-Term Impact on Both Teams
The trade has potentially significant long-term ramifications for both teams. The Blue Jays have given up a lot in Gabriel Moreno, but they get back a highly skilled player in Daulton Varsho, who can help them compete for years to come.
The move also allows the Blue Jays to shift some of their focus towards the acquisition of pitching, which is an area where they need to improve.
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, have added two quality players to their roster Gurriel Jr. and Moreno. They now have a potentially powerful offense, and they have a highly-rated young catcher who can anchor their defense in the coming years.
The trade should help hasten Diamondback’s rebuilding process and put them in a better position to compete in the near future.
In conclusion, the trade between the Blue Jays and the Diamondbacks has numerous implications for both teams. While the Blue Jays might have given up a lot of future talent in the trade, they have acquired an excellent player who can help them win now.
The Diamondbacks have added two good players who should help them start building a competitive team for the future. Ultimately, only time will tell which team got the better deal.
Did Lourdes Get Traded?
Yes, Lourdes Gurriel was traded. He was acquired by the Diamondbacks. The trade also involved top-catching prospect, Gabriel Moreno. The deal was made in exchange for Daulton Varsho, who can play both outfield and catcher.
Gurriel is an outfielder. He previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays. Moreno is considered one of the top-catching prospects in baseball. Varsho was a highly regarded prospect himself.
The trade is a win-win for both teams. It gives the Diamondbacks an important piece in Gurriel and the Blue Jays a potential star in Moreno.
Who Was Traded From Blue Jays?
The Toronto Blue Jays traded away infielder Vinny Capra on Sunday. Capra was sent to the Pirates in exchange for catcher Tyler Heineman. This marks Heineman’s return to the Blue Jays. Heineman is a veteran catcher with previous MLB experience.
Capra, on the other hand, is a minor-league infielder who has not yet played in the majors. The trade was likely made to shore up the Blue Jays’ catching depth. With the departure of Capra, the team may have more roster space for other players.
Heineman could potentially serve as a backup catcher to Danny Jansen or Reese McGuire. The trade also gives the Pirates a prospect in Capra who they can develop in their minor league system. Overall, the deal appears to benefit both teams in terms of addressing their individual needs.
Who Did the Blue Jays Get for Gurriel Jr?
The Blue Jays acquired Daulton Varsho from the Diamondbacks for Lourdes Gurriel Jr. Varsho is a young catcher and outfielder with potential. The 24-year-old has played parts of two seasons at the MLB level.
He has hit .188 with five home runs in 91 career at-bats. Varsho is known for his athleticism and versatility on the field. Gurriel Jr. was a valuable player for the Blue Jays over the past four seasons.
He played mostly in left field and hit .268 with 49 home runs and 190 RBIs. Gabriel Moreno, a highly regarded catching prospect, was also part of the trade. Moreno is just 21 years old and has yet to play above High-A ball.
The trade gives the Diamondbacks a young, controllable position player in Gurriel Jr. and a top prospect in Moreno.
To Recap
The sports world is full of surprises, and the trade deadline is always a time of excitement and uncertainty. In this instance, the Toronto Blue Jays made the decision to trade Lourdes Gurriel Jr. to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for young outfielder Daulton Varsho.
While it is tough to see a talented player like Gurriel Jr. leave the team, it’s clear that the Blue Jays are making some calculated moves in order to improve their roster and set themselves up for success in future seasons.
Only time will tell if this trade was the right decision, but it’s clear that the team is focused on making the most of its resources and building a championship-caliber squad.
