Blue Jays address bullpen, acquire Bass and Pop from the Marlins

The Toronto Blue Jays addressed their biggest need ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline, acquiring relievers Anthony Bass and Canadian Zach Pop from the Miami Marlins for infield prospect Jordan Groshans, the club announced.

The Blue Jays will also receive a player to be named later.

Bass, 34, is a former Blue Jay who has spent the past two seasons in Miami, pitching well out of the team’s bullpen. He’s had a career year, with a minuscule 1.41 ERA and 45 strikeouts across 45 games and just under 45 innings.

Bass is also striking out more batters than ever (9.1 K/9 entering Tuesday).

The veteran was claimed off waivers by Toronto in 2019 and appeared in 26 games with the Blue Jays during the 2020 season.

For now, he’s expected to be relied on heavily down the stretch, joining a mix of Jordan Romano, Yimi Garcia, Adam Cimber and David Phelps, who have all pitched rather effectively this season. Bass has a $3 million club option next year.

The Blue Jays also get the 25-year-old Pop in the deal, a Brampton native. The right-hander has appeared in 18 games with 14 strikeouts, and only two walks in 20 innings pitched.

Canadian relief pitcher Zach Pop with the Miami Marlins.

Pop’s strikeouts are down, but his ability to locate pitches and limit free passes, along with throwing a hard sinker, makes his inclusion in the trade more intriguing.

Pop is under team control until 2027.

Groshans, 22, had been playing with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons and was ranked by MLB.com as Toronto’s third-best prospect, behind Orelvis Martinez and Gabriel Moreno. He was drafted in the first round (12th overall) in 2018 by the Blue Jays.

The third baseman entered the Blue Jays’ system as a highly regarded prospect, but his stock has taken a hit in recent years, mainly due to injuries and a lack of power. Groshans has only one home run in 72 minor-league games this year.

The Blue Jays announced lefty reliever Andrew Vasquez was claimed off waivers by the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. The club later designated Anthony Banda for assignment.

Toronto ended the day trading for infielder/outfielder Whit Merrifield in a deal with the Kansas City Royals. Earlier, the club acquired right-handed pitcher Mitchell White and a prospect from the Los Angeles Dodgers.