The 2022 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline was one out of a fairy tale – at least for that of one Juan Soto.
The 23-year-old super-slugger found a new home in San Diego alongside fellow superstars Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado, while the New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros also stayed very busy all throughout the day as active buyers leading up to the deadline.
The Toronto Blue Jays?
Well, they reportedly engaged in conversations with a number of big players, but were unable to pull the trigger on any of them… Juan Soto included.
Oh right, Noah Syndergaard was also a player the team was keen on.
Yes, him.
No, Toronto did not pull off any of the bigger moves in what was an exceptionally active trade deadline, but the team did land a few names that will look to help what seems to be an underachieving bubble team.
First, the club opted to beef up its bullpen by way of a trade for a former Blue Jay and a Canadian – How much better could it get?
Well, the club gave away its star prospect Jordan Groshans in the process, so it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Blue Jays fans. The deal saw Anthony Bass return to Toronto alongside Brampton, Ontario’s own Zach Pop in exchange for Groshans – the team’s No. 4 prospect.
“It’s pretty special to be able to go back home, see my family and play for the Blue Jays,” Pop said of the deal. “I’ve got a lot of friends and a lot of people rooting for them right now. To be a part of what they’re doing up there right now is pretty amazing. They’ve got a great team over there, and I’m lucky to be a part of it. They’re doing some special things.”
Both Bass and Pop are relievers and will come out of the bullpen for the Jays in the stretch run. Pop – a 25-year-old right-hander – will be under club control through 2026, while Bass – a 34-year-old right-hander – could option for another season in Toronto following the conclusion of 2022.
“I’m going to a team with a chance to make the postseason, which, as players, is what we always want to do,” Bass said. “Our end goal is to win a World Series, so that part is exciting, going to Toronto for that opportunity. Obviously, it’s a familiar place. I was with them in 2020, so it will be a nice transition for me.”
Pop is a heavy hurler in the midst of a decent 2022 campaign. His 7.8 strikeouts over nine innings is a decent upgrade from some of Toronto’s current relief help. He is a ground ball out machine and will likely throw many low strikes for the club moving forward.
Around Full Press Coverage
NFL OPINION: Arians: Why Bucs’ Ring of Honor Means “More to Me’ Than Canton
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contracts
by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
NFL: What’s Next For Chiefs And Orlando Brown Jr.?
NFL: NFL Rumors: Ndamukong Suh, Sean Payton, Sunday Ticket
FULL PRESS BETS: Early 2022 NFL MVP Odds: Bills’ Josh Allen Favored
NHL: Flyers’ Free-Agency Moves Further Alienate A Disgruntled Fanbase
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 42: Deebo Samuel Requests Trade; Possible Landing Spots
Bass, on the other hand, has had himself a career year thus far with Miami, posing 45 strikeouts over 44 and two-third innings with a beautiful 1.41 earned run average to boot.
This acquisition of two strong relievers is all fine and well, but for it to be the headline deal of an important trade deadline day, it just wasn’t enough from GM Ross Atkins and company.
The team did add vaccination holdout Whit Merrifield in another deal that saw minor leaguers Samad Taylor and Max Castillo head to Kansas City.
“He’s such a good player, first and foremost, and he is very accomplished with incredible experiences,” Atkins said of Merrifield. “The versatility, the contact ability, the speed, playing multiple positions, incredible base runner. I feel very good about him at so many different positions that that versatility will help us down the stretch. Between he and Calvin and Rimel and others, we feel like we can really protect and keep guys from time to time off their feet in the event of the injury we’re very well covered.”
The utility infielder is hitting .240 this season over 95 games but was one of a slew of players on the Royals that did not make the trip to Toronto earlier this past July due to vaccination status.
“Right or wrong, I didn’t do it on a whim,” Merrifield said in an interview related to his stance on COVID and its restrictions related to Canada/USA. “It’s been a long thought process. Because I understand what Canada has in place right now. That’s the only reason that I would think about getting it at this point, is to go to Canada. That might change down the road. Something happens and I happen to get on a team that has a chance to go play in Canada in the postseason, maybe that changes.”
The 33-year-old has actually had a tough showing this year in Kansas City. That, pairs with his worrisome attitude related to the border requirements may give some Jays fans nightmares, but current clubhouse manager John Schneider doesn’t seem the least bit concerned with his new infield position player.
“I think he’ll fit in great,” Schneider said. “He’s a good player who can do a lot of different things that complement our roster that’s already really good. The athleticism, the versatility. We’ve seen him play. He’s a gamer. So we’re excited to have someone who gives you a little bit more insurance.”
Toronto’s biggest need, however, was help in its rotation. Despite the attempt to bring back Syndergaard, the groundwork just didn’t seem to happen and nothing major materialized in time for a move prior to the deadline.
“We are so excited about this team and the acquisitions,” Atkins added. “I think the continuity aspect of it being able to think about complementing this core, the work we’ve done on the teammates and the character, the present value and the future value of each of these individuals is really exciting for us.”
The mainstays including Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Alek Manoah, and Ross Stripling do need help with the injury to Hyun-Jin Ryu. Another starter to assist Yusei Kikuchi was in high demand. Will that failed acquisition come back to haunt Toronto come the postseason? Only time will tell.
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Pro Football historian John Turney joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
Pro Football historian John Turney joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 118: Senior Class Talk With Football Historian Ken Crippenby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 10:03 pm
Pro Football historian Ken Crippen joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 117: Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 3, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Former Chiefs VP of Player Personnel Bill Kuharich joins Clark and Ira to […]
-
Ep 116: Former Buccaneers Head Coach Bruce Arians Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 29, 2022 at 3:03 am
Former Buccaneers head coach Bruce Arians joins Clark and Ira to discuss […]
-
Ep 115: Gil Brandt Joins The Show To Remember Cowboys RB Don Perkinsby Full Press Coverage on June 22, 2022 at 3:46 pm
Pro Football Hall of Famer Gil Brandt joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 114: Former Bengals QB Ken Anderson Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 15, 2022 at 5:12 pm
Former Bengals quarterback and NFL MVP, Ken Anderson, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 113: HOF Voter Barry Wilner Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on June 10, 2022 at 6:04 pm
For AP chief correspondent and current Pro Football Hall of Fame voter, […]
-
Ep 112: Colts Owner Jim Irsay Joins To Talk "The Jim Irsay Collection"by Full Press Coverage on May 31, 2022 at 3:05 pm
Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay returns to the show to talk with Calrk […]
-
Ep 248: Traning Camp and Pre-Season Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
Ep 246: NFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 1:40 pm
-
Ep 245: AFC TD Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:16 pm
-
Top 10 Quarterback/Pass Catching Duosby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:58 pm
Ian and John discuss Maurice Jones-Drew's list of Top 10 quarterbacks/pass […]
-
Top 5 Running Backsby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 12:42 am
Ian and John discuss FPC Chiefs Managing Editor Braden Holecek's Top 5 […]
-
Tyreek Hill vs. Davante Adams: Who Has The Better Season?by Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:48 am
From Full Press NFL Weekly, Ian Glendon, Braden Holecek, and Kyle Senra […]
-
Julio Jones Signs in Tampa Bayby Full Press Coverage on July 29, 2022 at 2:11 pm
Ian and John discuss Julio Jones joining Tom Brady in Tampa Bay. Learn […]
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers comments about the young wide receiver […]
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
Ian and John discuss the Zach Wilson injury scare, Deshaun Watson's debut […]
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Ian and John discuss the NBA's decision to retire Bill Russell's "#6" […]
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the Kevin Durant power move and the similarities […]
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
Ian and John discuss the pair of NFL preseason games from Thursday and […]
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams impending retirement, Kevin Durant, […]
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
Ian and John discuss Serena Williams' career and impending retirement as […]
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
Ian and John discuss Aaron Rodgers recent revelations and the upcoming […]
-
Ep 39: Quarterback Contracts, Hill vs Adams, Top 5 QB Contractsby Full Press Coverage on August 1, 2022 at 12:36 am
Ian, Braden, and Kyle discuss the new quarterback contracts, Tyreek Hill […]
-
Ep 38: Tyreek Hill Traded To The Dolphinsby Full Press Coverage on March 24, 2022 at 12:10 am
Ian and Braden react to the trade of Tyreek Hill from the Chiefs to the […]
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Talkamania Episode 227by Talkamania on June 12, 2022 at 3:27 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 193 "Summer Slam Review"by Boot 2 The Face on August 8, 2022 at 10:05 am
Marty and Rucker return to talk the sights and sounds of Nashville for WWE […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 191 "Summer Slam Preview"by Boot 2 The Face on July 28, 2022 at 12:31 am
Rucker is joined by Angel and Timmy C of Filter Free Popcast who you can […]
-
Episode 99: Save the (Roquan) Drama for Your Mamaby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 3:14 am
-
(Season 2.6): Fantasy Football Live! w/ Kyle Senra, Manny Chokuba, and Ryanby Full Press Coverage on August 18, 2022 at 2:40 am
-
Ep. 197 - Did LeBron Just Sign His Last NBA Contract?by Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 9:35 pm
-
Top 10 Quarterback/Pass Catching Duosby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:58 pm
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
-
Ep 119: Senior Class Finalists Announced; John Turney Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 4:15 pm
-
Ep 248: Traning Camp and Pre-Season Takeawaysby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 12:33 pm
-
(Season 2.5): Training Camp Talk: Should we be concerned with Antonio Gibson?by Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 11:57 pm
-
Hockey Canada - Be Better - Aug 16, 2022by Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 9:00 pm
-
Ep 247: Full Foss NFL Projectionsby Full Press Coverage on August 16, 2022 at 12:39 am
-
8/17 - Packers Camp Struggles, Top 10 QB/Pass Catching Combos, Malcolm Go... To Injured Reserveby Full Press Coverage on August 17, 2022 at 5:04 pm
-
8/15 - Zach Wilson, Deshaun Watson, NFL Top 100 Listby Full Press Coverage on August 15, 2022 at 1:15 pm
-
NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jersey League Wideby Full Press Coverage on August 13, 2022 at 2:25 pm
-
Kevin Durant and Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 4:20 pm
-
8/12 - Recapping NFL Preseason Action; NBA Retires Bill Russell's Jerseyby Full Press Coverage on August 12, 2022 at 1:20 pm
-
8/11 - Serena Williams, Kevin Durant, Top 5 Running Backs, NFL Preseasonby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 3:03 pm
-
Serena Williams And The Best 21st Century Athletesby Full Press Coverage on August 11, 2022 at 2:59 pm
-
Aaron Rodgers, Ayahuasca, and The Green Bay Packersby Full Press Coverage on August 10, 2022 at 12:00 pm
-
Recapping The 2022 Pro Football Hall of Fame Ceremonyby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm
-
8/9 - Pro Football Hall of Fame; Shawshank Prison; Aaron Rodgersby Full Press Coverage on August 9, 2022 at 2:06 pm