Berrios To The Blue Jays

RHP Jose Berrios has been traded to the Blue Jays for SS/OF Austin Martin and RHP Simeon Woods-Richardson, according to Ken Rosenthal. That’s a massive haul for Minnesota, who was expected to move a controllable Berrios through the 2022 season, and also a shot in the arm for Toronto.

This Blue Jays team desperately needs pitching, and more importantly, bringing Berrios on board keeps him away from the Yankees. Can’t underestimate that.

OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired RHP José Berríos from the Twins in exchange for SS/OF Austin Martin and RHP Simeon Woods Richardson.

Welcome to the #BlueJays, @JOLaMaKina! 👏 pic.twitter.com/rxbnDn251Z

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 30, 2021

Jose Berrios is one of just 16 pitchers with 600+ innings and a sub-3.80 ERA since 2017.

The #MNTwins right hander is the youngest of those 16, and one of just three who is currently under the age of 30. Aaron Nola and Luis Castillo are the others. pic.twitter.com/wbrLmNs0C1

— Twins Gems (@TwinsGems) July 30, 2021

Berrios’ career ERA is just north of four (4.08), yet most in baseball believe he could lead a rotation. In Toronto’s case, they landed LHP Hyun Jin Ryu in December of 2019, so now they have those two arms to look forward to the next couple years. Throw a resurging Robbie Ray in the mix, who’s already struck out 150 hitters in just 118 innings — the Blue Jays might make some noise. Maybe not for a division, but a wildcard.

Berrios is still just 27-years-old with potential out the wazoo. It’s not like he’s just a pipe dream for him to pan out either, considering his ERA this season sits at just 3.48. The Blue Jays will probably extend him with the youth of their roster, so don’t expect this haul to be for a rental. Berrios is a Blue Jay for the foreseeable future.