Blue Jays acquire third baseman Matt Chapman from A’s for four players
Posted March 16, 2022 9:15 am.
Last Updated March 16, 2022 10:38 am.
The Toronto Blue Jays have finalized a trade for Matt Chapman from the Oakland Athletics, according to two industry sources, addressing a gaping hole at third base with the latest bold strike.
In exchange the Blue Jays are sending four players to the A’s, headline by 2021 first-round pick Gunnar Hoglund, a right-handed pitcher. Also going to Oakland are infield prospect Kevin Smith, left-handed pitching prospect Zach Logue and left-handed reliever Kirby Snead.
Chapman is a 28-year-old all-star and Gold Glover, who is under contractual control for the next two seasons and is projected to earn $9.5 million in his second time through arbitration. Even in a down offensive year in 2021, Chapman still produced 3.5 WAR, as calculated by Baseball Reference, and has a career OPS of .808.
Gunnar Hoglund makes it two straight first-rounders the Blue Jays have used in future-for-present deals, after Austin Martin helped land Jose Berrios last year.
Kevin Smith surely opens in majors now and good for him. He’s earned an opportunity that may not have come with Jays.
— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) March 16, 2022
The deal is reminiscent of the one from November 2014, when Brett Lawrie headlined a package the Blue Jays sent to the Athletics for another third baseman, Josh Donaldson.
Freed from Oakland’s pitcher-friendly confines, Donaldson went off during a monster 2015 that earned him American League MVP honours.
Chapman may very well benefit similarly from joining a daunting offensive lineup in the offence-friendly American League East.
With files from Hazel Mae
