Blue Jays deal catcher Danny Jansen to Red Sox, reliever Nate Pearson to Cubs
The Toronto Blue Jays traded catcher Danny Jansen to the Boston Red Sox on Saturday for three minor leaguers.
Toronto received infielder Cutter Coffey, infielder Eddinson Paulino, and right-hander Gilberto Batista.
Jansen saw news of the trade being reported on a clubhouse TV following Toronto’s 7-3 win over Texas.
“It’s a whole lot of emotions but I’m excited to go to an atmosphere that I’ve played in as a visitor,” Jansen said.
Jansen is batting .212 with six home runs and 18 RBIs in 61 games. He set career highs with 17 homers and 53 RBIs in 2023.
June 26:<br>Danny Jansen starts at catcher for the Blue Jays vs the Red Sox (Game suspended in 2nd inning due to rain)<br><br>August 26:<br>Game will resume with the potential for Jansen playing for Boston<br><br>He could be the first player in MLB history to appear in a game for both teams
—@SNstats
Jansen was Toronto’s longest-tenured player and had spent his entire seven-year career with the Blue Jays, who drafted him in the 16th round in 2013. He has a $5.2 million US salary and can become a free agent after the World Series.
While growing up in Appleton, Wisconsin, Jansen’s family hosted several young players from the local minor league team, including former Orioles outfielder Adam Jones.
The trade to Boston reunites Jansen with former Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire, who played his first four seasons with Toronto.
Boston’s regular catcher this year has been Connor Wong.
Coffey, 20, hit .238 with 14 home runs and 46 RBI at Class-A. Paulino, 22, hit .263 with three home runs and 35 RBIs at Double-A Portland. Batista, 19, was with the Florida Complex League Red Sox.
The Blue Jays on Friday traded right-hander Yimi Garcia to Seattle for a pair of minor leaguers, outfielder Jonatan Clase and catcher Jacob Sharp.
Pearson dealt to Cubs for prospects
Earlier in the day, the Blue Jays traded right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs for prospects Josh Rivera and Yohendrick Pinango on Saturday.
The Blue Jays drafted Pearson in the first round, 28th overall, in the 2017 MLB draft.
Once highly touted as Baseball America’s seventh-ranked prospect, Pearson made his Major League debut as a starter in 2020 but struggled with injuries.
Rivera, a 23-year-old shortstop, was drafted by the Cubs in the third round of the 2023 draft. He had four home runs, 16 RBIs and a .169 batting average in 68 games for double-A Tennessee.
Pinango, a 22-year-old outfielder who bats left, had four homers, 21 RBIs and a .223 average in 55 games for Tennessee.
The Blue Jays also announced that closer Jordan Roman was transferred to the 60-day injured list because of right elbow inflammation. RHP Ryan Burr was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo and would be active for Saturday’s game against the Texas Rangers.
