The Blue Jays and Giants have each announced that utilityman Tyler Fitzgerald has been traded to the Jays in exchange for cash considerations. Fitzgerald has been optioned to the Jays’ Triple-A affiliate. Toronto has an open spot on its 40-man roster, so no corresponding move was necessary.
San Francisco designated Fitzgerald for assignment earlier this week, and today’s deal officially ends a tenure that began when the Giants made Fitzgerald a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft. He made his MLB debut in the form of 10 games in 2023, and seemingly had a breakout when he hit .280/.334/.497 over 341 plate appearances. Fitzgerald also hit 15 homers and stole 17 bases in 21 attempts, and he finished the season with a 132 wRC+ and 3.0 fWAR.
Perhaps the key statistic, however, was Fitzgerald’s .380 BABIP. Reality may have sunk in last season, as Fitzgerald’s BABIP fell to a more standard .299, and his offensive production cratered. Fitzgerald hit .217/.278/.327 over 243 PA in 2025, translating to a 72 wRC+. The Giants used Fitzgerald as their regular starting second baseman in the early part of the season, but he was optioned to Triple-A in June, and played in only 15 MLB games after June 29 after being repeatedly called up and sent back down to the minors.
A left rib fracture sent Fitzgerald to the 10-day injured list for a little over two weeks at the start of May, which ended up being the demarcation line of his season. Fitzgerald was hitting a respectable .284/.341/.432 in 90 PA before the IL trip, so he was never the same after his rib issue.
The Giants’ offseason signing of Luis Arraez to play second base assured that Fitzgerald would be a bench option at best in San Francisco this season. The team started him at Triple-A to begin the season, and then decided to move on entirely via the DFA route.
The big majority of Fitzgerald’s MLB playing time has come at shortstop, but he has seen time at every position on the diamond except catcher. This versatility makes him a useful depth option for a Blue Jays club that doesn’t really have a true backup infielder on their current 26-man roster. Toronto has a set everyday infield of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Ernie Clement, Andres Gimenez, and Kazuma Okamoto. Davis Schneider and Addison Barger can respectively play second or third base when they’re not in the outfield, and Clement can be a backup shortstop if Schneider is at second base.
After the out-of-options Leo Jimenez was traded to the Marlins, Rafael Lantigua and prospect Josh Kasevich (both at Triple-A Buffalo) became Toronto’s top utility infield options, though neither player is on the 40-man roster. Fitzgerald’s addition gives the Jays a player they can move back and forth between Triple-A and the bigs, as Fitzgerald has one more minor league option year remaining.
He had one hell of a year and the rest of the time it’s been hell on earth for him
Huge swing and miss problem outside of the zone. His speed is his calling card, but if he can’t make contact, he’s a liability. Maybe a new home will reset him.
I wish the best for him!
Why?? Where are they planning to use him?
Probably the kitchen. Duder makes a mean peppercorn aioli.
Aaa
Yeah man that’s the sound I make when I open my mouth awaiting some of the delectable aioli.
@yukz AAA. They lack inflield depth there.
Why are they trading for utility players? They need bullpen help. The Blue Jays need to replace Little & Hoffman.
Don’t worry Yimi Garcia will be back soon.
I forgot about that guy…he’s been out for awhile…
Hopefully, he hasn’t forgotten how to pitch
Can Tyler pitch?
Jays need middle relief help…
And a lights out closer
Low risk move for Jays had spot on 40 man and only cost money
Maybe it was the rib, but Fitz still looked lost in ST, but if he could get close to hitting league average he’d be a valuable utility player
If they could have SF would have sent him to AAA get him ABs hope he gets back to 2024
too bat I liked fitzgerald but I get clearing the decks a bit when you have 4 top 100 prospects and 3 are middle infielders and one is a corner infielder
Those three middle infield top 100 prospects:
17 year old that has yet to debut
18 year old that has only played in Rookie Ball
19 year old with 33 games at the A level
Excellent collection of young prospects but doubt their existence had anything to do with the decision to move on from Fitzgerald for a bag o ballz.
Great handle btw!
The lizard people are pleased.