In the second trade deadline deal between the Blue Jays and St. Louis Cardinals, shortstop Paul DeJong was shipped up north to Toronto.
A day after the Blue Jays acquired relief pitcher Jordan Hicks from St. Louis, Toronto returned to the same well for much-needed infield depth.
| Blue Jays get | SS Paul DeJong |
| Cardinals get | RHP Matt Svanson |
DeJong, who has been with the Cardinals for his entire seven-year MLB career, comes over from St. Louis in the aftermath of Toronto star SS Bo Bichette leaving Monday’s game with a right knee injury.
Bichette suffered “no significant structural damage to his right knee,” per Jays manager John Schneider, via The Athletic.
An All-Star selection in 2019, DeJong is not the player Bichette - who leads the American League in hits (144) and batting average (.321) - is, but the Blue Jays needed to act fast in case their star shortstop is out for longer than expected.
The former St. Louis man is a rare breed of a power-hitting shortstop, although his numbers don’t do him many favors. Coming off back-to-back seasons hitting under .200, DeJong is batting at a .233 clip with 13 home runs and 32 RBI in 2023.
The Blue Jays currently sit 2.5 games ahead of the Red Sox in the third American League Wild Card slot, and are -300 to make the playoffs this season.
MLB
Blue Jays acquire Jordan Hicks, send Romano to 15-day IL
With closer Jordan Romano headed to the 15-day injured list with a sore back, the Toronto Blue Jays are bringing in flame-throwing reliever Jordan Hicks from the Cardinals.
David Schneidman
Sep 17 2024
