Blue Jays trade catcher Danny Jansen to AL East rival Red Sox for 3 minor leaguers

“It’s a lot of emotion, but I’m excited to go to an atmosphere where I played as a visitor,” Jansen said.

Jansen is hitting .212 with six homers and 18 RBIs in 61 games. He set career highs with 17 homers and 53 RBIs in 2023.

“He’s been hitting the ball hard against us for a while now,” Red Sox manager Alex Cora said after the Red Sox blew a late lead and lost 11-8 to the Yankees. “He’s an interesting bat that gives us some balance.”

Jansen was Toronto’s longest-serving player, playing his entire seven-year career with the Blue Jays, who drafted him in the 16th round in 2013. He’s earning $5.2 million and can become a free agent after the World Series.

When Jansen was growing up in Appleton, Wisconsin, his family hosted several young players from the local minor league team, including former Orioles outfielder Adam Jones.

The move to Boston reunites Jansen with former Blue Jays catcher Reese McGuire, who played his first four seasons with Toronto.

Boston’s regular catcher this year is Connor Wong.

Coffey, 20, hit .238 with 14 homers and 46 RBIs at Class-A. Paulino, 22, hit .263 with three homers and 35 RBIs at Double-A Portland. Batista, 19, was with the Florida Complex League Red Sox.

Earlier on Saturday, the Blue Jays traded right-handed pitcher Nate Pearson to the Chicago Cubs for two minor league players: shortstop Josh Rivera and outfielder Yohendrick Pinango.

The Blue Jays traded right-handed pitcher Yimi García to Seattle on Friday for two minor league players: outfielder Jonatan Clase and catcher Jacob Sharp.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb