Toronto Blue Jays catcher Gabriel Moreno (55) sets to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Rogers Centre. Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports

Blue Jays trade top prospect for Diamondbacks star Daulton Varsho

Originally posted on Sportsnaut | By Jason Burgos | Last updated 12/23/22

The Toronto Blue Jays have reportedly swung a trade for an impact addition to the outfield for 2023 but had to give up one of the elite prospects in their organization.

On Friday, ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan broke the news of the new addition to the Toronto Blue Jays roster that could possibly give them one of the best outfields in the American League East for the foreseeable future.

“The Toronto Blue Jays and Arizona Diamondbacks are in agreement on a trade that will send outfielder Daulton Varsho to the Blue Jays for a package that includes top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno, sources tell ESPN.”
– Report on Blue Jays trade for Daulton Varsho

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The Blue Jays have been active this offseason and made notable additions in pitcher Chris Bassitt and Kevin Kiermaier in MLB free agency. However, Varsho is a serious addition that could make a major impact on the team for the next four seasons.

Toronto Blue Jays trade top prospect Gabriel Moreno for budding star Daulton Varsho

Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Daulton Varsho (12) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first inning at Chase Field. Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

While Daulton Varsho hasn’t earned All-Star honors in the league yet, he certainly seems to be headed in that direction, and now will get to do so surrounded by some very good hitters. In his third season last year, he notched career highs in games (151), home runs (27), runs-batted-in (74), runs (79), hits, and stolen bases.

However, what makes him such a fascinating get is that he is an outstanding defensive player who can actually go behind the plate and fill in as a solid catcher. Plus, he has the ability to scrape out runs on the base pad, which continues to be a disappearing art in the sport today. The move also fills avoid left by the Toronto Blue Jays traded Teoscar Hernandez to the Mariners in the early days of the offseason.

In return, the Blue Jays send Arizona outfielder Lourdes Gurriel and top prospect Gabriel Moreno. Moreno was promoted in June with hopes of being the starting catcher for the next decade. However, injuries limited him to just 25 games. However, he was solid in that limited time. Hitting .319 with 22 hits, 10 runs and seven RBIs.

This article first appeared on Sportsnaut and was syndicated with permission.

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