Blue Jays acquire former All-Star Whit Merrifield from Royals

The Toronto Blue Jays made a last-minute splash ahead of the MLB Trade Deadline and acquired former All-Star second baseman Whit Merrifield from the Kansas City Royals, the club announced.

The Blue Jays sent right-hander Max Castillo and infielder Samad Taylor to Kansas City in the deal.

Merrifield, 33, has spent his entire seven-year career playing with the Royals and established himself as one of the league’s better all-around players during that time.

Merrifield led the majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45) in 2018 and was even better in 2019, leading the majors in hits (206), triples (10), appearing in all 162 games.

The veteran also led all major-league hitters in doubles in 2020 with 42 and was first in the American League in stolen bases (40). Merrifield is currently in the midst of his worst statistical season, hitting .240/.290/.352 across 95 games with the Royals.

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Merrifield was one of 10 unvaccinated Royals players and was placed on the restricted list when the team travelled to Canada to play at Rogers Centre from July 14 to July 17. He later said he’d consider getting the vaccine if it meant playing for a team contending for the postseason.

His vaccine comments did stir up controversy, however, leading to an apology from the 33-year-old, who said that he poorly articulated the point he was trying to make.

“Unfortunately, I didn’t realize what I said,” Merrifield said.

“It took me reading it to understand how it could come across … I’ve wanted to play in the playoffs since the time I put on cleats, and that feeling is strong. The vaccine thing … people have very strong feelings about it, and I feel the way I feel about it.”

General manager Ross Atkins didn’t bite when asked about his plans to get vaccinated or if he’d be playing at the Rogers Centre any time soon.

“He was acquired right at the deadline, so this is a very fresh acquisition, and so because of that, I’m not going to comment more on that process for him and let him work through that with his family,” said Atkins. “I’ve basically said hello to him, and that’s it.”

The second baseman/outfielder will be a free agent after next season.

Castillo, 23, made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays this season, appearing in nine games (two starts) with a 3.05 ERA and 20 strikeouts across 20 2/3 innings.

Taylor, 24, was ranked among Toronto’s top 30 prospects, according to MLB.com. The infielder had been playing with the triple-A Buffalo Bisons. He was acquired from the Cleveland Guardians in 2017, along with Thomas Pannone, for reliever Joe Smith.

Blue Jays acquire White, prospect from Dodgers

Toronto’s front office also added a pitcher to the mix, acquiring right-hander Mitchell White from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Blue Jays also received prospect Alex De Jesus in exchange for prospects Nick Frasso and Moises Brito, the team announced.

White, 27, has pitched to a 3.70 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 15 appearances (10 starts) this season. He has struck out 47 batters over 56.0 innings. The Dodgers originally selected him in the second round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Santa Clara University.

In 38 career appearances (14 starts) with the Dodgers over three seasons, White has posted a 3.58 ERA with 98 strikeouts over 105.2 innings.

White joins Anthony Bass and Canadian Zach Pop as three newcomers to Toronto’s group of pitchers. White is expected to pitch in relief, barring an injury to any of the Blue Jays’ current starters, which include Alek Manoah, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, Ross Stripling and Yusei Kikuchi.

Toronto also dealt reliever Jeremy Beasley to the Pittsburgh Pirates for cash.

With files from The Canadian Press