The Blue Jays are placing first baseman Justin Smoak on the 10-day injured list with a quad issue, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reports. Toronto has recalled right-hander Justin Shafer from Triple-A Buffalo to take Smoak’s roster spot.
Toronto’s well out of playoff position, meaning this injury won’t affect its chances of contending. However, depending on the severity, it could put a damper on the Blue Jays’ July 31 trade deadline plans. As an impending free agent on an $8MM salary, Smoak stands out as a potential trade chip for the club. There has been talk of a potential extension for the switch-hitting 32-year-old, though.
A Blue Jay since 2015, Smoak morphed into a formidable offensive presence in 2017 and has remained a quality producer since. The former top prospect’s numbers are down a bit this year relative to the previous two seasons, but he’s still hitting a solid .226/.364/.423 (115 wRC+) with 12 home runs in 261 plate appearances.
Not a good thing for one of the Jays prospective trade chips to get injured this close to the deadline.
You werent going to get a crazy haul anyway for him. I could see the Crew giving him a look if hes healthy after this DL stint. Anything is better than Jesus Aguilar at this point
6 weeks until the deadline. It’s not that close.
Even with these injuries piling up on Toronto’s too trade chips, I just do not have faith in Ross Atkins to be able to pull the trigger on these deals that all must be made. Giles, Smoak, Stroman, Sanchez and Galvis all must be moved between now and July 31. Not sure why nobody has been moved yet the sooner the better because now two of those trade chips are injured. If these deals are not made regardless of injury then Atkins should be forced to resign or resign altogether.
Are this and oilcan dummy jimmertee accounts?
I remember a pitcher back in the 80’s named Oil Can Boyd. I think he threw over 270 innings for Boston one year and my dad complained that Boston was going to have a nasty rotation when he reached his prime with Clemens. I wonder what happened to him. Injuries probably.
Oil Can! I remember him!
Flamed out with the Rangers in 1991 age
31…..
In part because of his fondness of the booger sugar
I had the very same thought.
I don’t thin k that Atkins can be trusted to make these deals. Look how badly he botched the Pillar and Donaldson ones… At this point, I would rather hold on to all of those pieces until a new, non-inept exec takes over. Please don’t receive pennies on the dollar.
except he was trading a below average CF with Pillar so he wasnt going to get much anyways.
Trade Pillar in 2017 when the Jays should have and the haul is much better. Atkins didn’t because he wants to prolong his stay in the GM seat. That’s what Oilcan is saying, how Atkins botched the trades, or lack thereof.
A healthy Justin smoak is worth a top 200 ranked prospect. Now, not so much. I guess it depends on the severity of the injury. Quads can take a while to heal.
Many called fro smoaks trading years ago.
Another Atkins fiasco.
It is one thing to rebuild and tank etc, it’s another to screw up over and over again forcing bad trades or releases with quality assets.
Trade stroman Now!!!!!
The Blue Jays circus continues.
What’s with all the quad and hamstring injuries?
If he’s back before the All-Star break this is a non-issue. If not, this is an issue.
Oilcan (the real one) actually had at least one decent season with the Expos.
Not sure Smoak is as valuable as people are making him out to be anyways. He’s a platoon bat only based on his line this year.
His value took a hit when the Jays refused to deal him this offseason. Or last trade deadline. Much like their refusal of dealing Donaldson the previous offseason or 2017 deadline. And others. That’s cool, Atkins was rewarded an extension for the front office’s miscalculations.
1B or DH are worth very little now. I dont think this will crush his value. But he wasn’t going to get anything great anyways. The yanks got EE for a lotto ticket.