ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – JULY 11: Lourdes Gurriel Jr. #13 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on July 11, 2021 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Douglas P. DeFelice/Getty Images)
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The Toronto Blue Jays made a franchise altering roster decision a few years ago when they traded a pair of young players in a deal that brought former center fielder Daulton Varsho to Toronto.
At the time, the move represented a major change for an infielder who had spent the first several seasons of his career developing into an important part of the Blue Jays lineup.
And the decision became more notable when that player quickly reached another level following the trade — within months, he would earn his first All-Star selection and become an important contributor to a National League team that reached the World Series.
Blue Jays fans will recall that player as Lourdes Gurriel Jr., whose notable four-year run with the Arizona Diamondbacks following that trade has taken an unfortunate turn.
Toronto Blue Jays Trade Castoff, Former All-Star, Suddenly Cut By NL Team
On Sunday, the Diamondbacks designated Gurriel for assignment in favor of a rookie roster replacement as the team fights for a Wild Card playoff spot.
“The Diamondbacks have designated veteran outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for assignment,” MLB.com’s Max Ralph reported. “Rookie infielder Jose Fernandez was recalled from Triple-A Reno in a corresponding move.”
The move probably brought an unexpected conclusion to Gurriel’s season in Arizona as it seems unlikely he will be returning to the big leagues. And it offered a notable update on the career of a former key member of the Blue Jays.
Toronto traded Gurriel and Gabriel Moreno to Arizona in December 2022 in exchange for Varsho, giving both organizations young players they believed could shape their respective futures.
Gurriel immediately rewarded Arizona’s confidence. During the 2023 season, he earned the only All-Star selection of his career while hitting 24 home runs and posting a .772 OPS. He then added three home runs and 11 RBI during the postseason as Arizona advanced to the World Series.
Gurriel’s performance convinced the Diamondbacks to keep him beyond his initial contract, with the club agreeing to a three-year, $42 million deal after the 2023 season. The contract included a $14 million club option for 2027.
That made Sunday’s designation even more significant as the Diamondbacks seem unlikely to pick that option up.
Former Toronto Blue Jays Infielder Faces Uncertain MLB Future After Cut
Now, Gurriel’s career future is uncertain after Arizona cut him from the roster..
“Gurriel turns 33 in October, and he’ll likely be looking at a minor league deal (or a low-cost one-year guarantee) in free agency this offseason,” Mark Polishuk suggested for MLB Trade Rumors. “Interested teams may view Gurriel as a bounce-back candidate once he is more removed from his ACL rehab, but as a left field-only player with a significant recent injury and now two years of declining numbers, Gurriel faces a limited market.”
For the Blue Jays, Gurriel’s departure from Arizona provides another reminder of the complicated aftermath of the 2022 trade. And now, after four seasons with the Diamondbacks, Gurriel will have to find another opportunity to continue his MLB career.
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