The Arizona Diamondbacks have made another major splash in the MLB trade market by sending veteran outfielder Daulton Varsho to the Toronto Blue Jays. News of the move was first reported by ESPN, who noted that in exchange for Varsho, they will receive top prospect Gabriel Moreno as well as Lourdes Gurriel Jr., as confirmed by Bob Nightengale.
It marks a significant change for both franchises and foreshadows an interesting future in the league, with even more teams likely to make some big moves before the season kicks off.
Another Move for D-Backs
Varsho proved to be a valuable asset during his three-year stint with the Arizona DBacks, playing a total of 151 games until the 2022 season and recording a .235 batting average, .302 on-base percentage, .443 slugging percentage, 27 home runs, 74 RBI, and 16 stolen bases while see-sawing between the center and right field.
He has also shown great versatility by being able to play catcher as well. His impressive record made him an attractive proposition for the Toronto Blue Jays this winter after they traded Teoscar Hernández to the Seattle Mariners and needed some quality reinforcement in their outfield.
Moreno is one of the highest-rated prospects in baseball according to Baseball America. Moreno has already experienced some success at Triple-A Buffalo and the big league level, compiling impressive numbers during his stints with both clubs.
His potential is abundantly clear, and there is always the chance he could become one of the best backstops in the game when he reaches his prime. Arizona fans should be excited to get their hands on such a highly touted prospect.
What Do the Blue Jays Get?
The Toronto Blue Jays will likely have a new starting left fielder for the upcoming season, with the recent trade of Dalton Gurriel. The move was made to acquire Jacob Varsho, an outfielder under contract through 2026.
While Gurriel has been consistently productive during his five years in Toronto, tallying a .291/.343/.400 line with five home runs and 52 RBIs in 2021, it appears that the Diamondbacks were more interested in Varsho’s potential than what Gurriel had offered recently. The team will now look to Varsho to man left field, with Kevin Kiermaier in the center and George Springer in right.
