Blue Jays Trade: Varland, France for Rojas, Roden
blue Jays Acquire Varland, France in Trade with twins
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The toronto Blue Jays have made a critically important move ahead of the MLB trade deadline, acquiring relief pitcher Nick Varland and infielder/first baseman Ty France from the Minnesota Twins. In exchange, the Blue Jays sent outfielder Jordan Luplow and a player to be named later to Minnesota.
Blue Jays Bolster Roster for Postseason Push
This acquisition signals the Blue Jays’ intent to strengthen their roster for a deep playoff run. Varland, a 27-year-old right-hander, has been a standout in the Twins’ bullpen this season. He boasts an impressive 2.02 ERA over 49 innings, striking out 47 batters while issuing only 13 walks and surrendering just three home runs. Varland,a four-year MLB veteran,has fully transitioned to relief work after making starts in his first three seasons. His arsenal includes a fastball, knuckle curve, sinker, and slider. He is under team control through 2030, not becoming arbitration-eligible until the end of the 2026 season.
France, 31, brings valuable experience and offensive potential to the Blue Jays. He signed a one-year, $1 million contract with the Twins in February and has played 101 games at first base for Minnesota. France is hitting .251/.320/.357 with six home runs and 19 doubles this season. A former All-Star with the Seattle mariners in 2022, France was traded to the Cincinnati Reds last July and became a free agent in the offseason before signing with Minnesota.
Blue Jays Send Prospects to Twins in Deal
In the return for Varland and France,the Twins are receiving toronto’s No. 6 prospect,Estiven Rojas,and 25-year-old outfielder Otto Roden.
Roden made his MLB debut with the Blue Jays earlier this year, breaking camp with the team. Though, he struggled in his initial stint, posting a .204/.283/.306 slash line in 43 games. Despite his MLB struggles, Roden has shown promise in the minor leagues, recording a .918 OPS in 32 games at Triple-A this season.
Rojas, a 22-year-old pitcher, has been impressive in Double-A for the Blue Jays this season, with a 3.86 ERA and 62 strikeouts in 41.2 innings. He was recently promoted to Triple-A, though he allowed six earned runs in his debut with buffalo on Wednesday.
Blue Jays’ Deadline Activity Concludes
This trade marks the conclusion of the Blue Jays’ activity at the trade deadline. The team has been active in bolstering its roster, also acquiring relief pitcher Nick Varland, infielder Ty France, Seranthony Dominguez, Shane Bieber, and catching prospect Brandon Valenzuela. These moves underscore the Blue Jays’ commitment to competing at the highest level for the remainder of the season and into the postseason.