Blue Jays Trade Infielder Santiago Espinal For RHP Chris McElvain

It’s official: the Toronto Blue Jays have traded infielder Santiago Espinal for right-handed pitcher Chris McElvain. McElvain is a 23-year-old Minor League pitcher from the Cincinnati Reds. He spent his whole minor-league career with the Reds in 2023. In A with the Reds in 2023, he recorded a 3.04 ERA. McElvain is also a Vanderbilt Commodores alumnus and had a 1.313 WHIP last season.

Espinal spent four seasons with the Blue Jays, and he has been in 347 games played, 1057 plate appearances, 262 hits, 11 home runs, 99 RBIs, 80 walks, 150 strikeouts, .273/.331.367 and a .698 OPS, 97 wRC+, 4.7 fWAR, and was a 2022 American League All-Star. Espinal was not an everyday player last season for the Blue Jays and, unfortunately, was not strong at third base when Matt Chapman was injured, where an error on his part cost the Blue Jays a game in 2023. But Espinal was showcasing good offense in Spring Training for the Blue Jays this season with 6 RBIs.

Analyzing The Trade

While Espinal did showcase good potential to drive in the offense for the Blue Jays, the team has many utility players, so eliminating one of them would be in favor of the Blue Jays. It also allows the Blue Jays to extend young talent and give them a chance to play in more games. This move enables Ernie Clement to earn the backup middle infield role. But because of how Clement has been hitting in Spring Training, he could play second base consistently if given the opportunity. Adding another young player and arm for the Blue Jays is always forthcoming. Especially as the Blue Jays have been dealing with injuries before the regular season has commenced, the Blue Jays are known for having young, solid rookies and minor leaguers, so adding another young arm will do them justice.

Why The Trade Makes Sense

While Espinal will be missed, it is time to move forward. I wish him all the best with his new team, the Cincinnati Reds. His now former teammates surely want the best for him, and they can embark on the time that he has spent with the Blue Jays. Many did not anticipate that the Blue Jays would still be making trades, and while it is not a vast trade, it is still one that wasn’t expected.

But it is a trade that makes sense for the Blue Jays. You can never have too many pitchers, and the Blue Jays’ young depth is substantial. The Blue Jays have a strong starting rotation, and the Bullpen and their future young players look solid. Seeing the Blue Jays’ newest addition grow and excel will be intriguing. As well as seeing him progress and play in Spring Training for the Blue Jays.

The Cincinnati Reds have acquired infielder, and 2022 American League All-Star Santiago Espinal from the Toronto Blue Jays. Cincinnati is sending right-handed pitcher Chris McElvain to Toronto in return.

The 29-year-old joins the Reds on a day in which they got a whole lot of bad news about infielders in the organization. Matt McLain is going to miss the start of the season and may need shoulder surgery. Edwin Arroyo, the 3rd rated prospect in the farm system, underwent season-ending shoulder surgery earlier today, too – cutting down once again on the infield depth that the team seemed to have an abundance of just three weeks ago.

Back in 2022, Santiago Espinal made the American League All-Star team and hit .267/.322/.370. He was coming off of a good showing in 2021 when he hit .311/.376/.405 in 92 games for the Blue Jays. Things went backwards in 2023 as he managed to hit just .248 with a .310 on-base percentage, and saw his power drop off some as he slugged just .335 with two home runs in 93 games.

Espinal has played second base, third base, and shortstop in his four big league seasons – all with Toronto. Injuries and the suspension of Noelvi Marte left the club with no one on the 40-man roster capable of being a true back up option at shortstop for Elly De La Cruz. The Reds, likely after hearing the news on the shoulder of Matt McLain, started making phone calls to see who was available. As someone with experience all around the infield, Espinal makes plenty of sense for the club who now can have him back up several spots around the infield if needed.

Adding Santiago Espinal to the 40-man roster puts the club at 41 players. That number, however, includes Noelvi Marte, who doesn’t count towards the roster while suspended.

You can see his career stats here.

Cincinnati is sending minor league pitcher Chris McElvain to Toronto to complete this trade. He was the club’s 8th round draft pick in 2022 out of Vanderbilt. The 23-year-old posted a 3.75 ERA last season while splitting his season between Single-A Daytona and High-A Dayton. He walked 41 batters and had 87 strikeouts in his 96.0 innings pitched. McElvain was noted rated among the Reds top 25 or 30 prospects by any of the reputable outlets.