Blue Jays’ All-Star Replacement Sends Trade Message With Roster Move Looming

Valenzuela is slashing .200/.300/.429 so far in his big-league debut, which might not match the output of a slugger like Kirk, but easily outpaces the Blue Jays’ other healthy catcher option in Tyler Heineman. And he has flashed some strong defensive awareness and an ability to manage pitchers and frame their offerings.

All told, Valenzuela has made the Blue Jays’ looming roster decision tough because, even as Heineman has no minor-league options remaining, it seems pretty clear that the younger backstop has proven himself as a more valuable second catcher for the big-league roster when Kirk returns.

“Kirk is well on his way toward returning to the lineup and his elite backstopping,” Rosie DiManno wrote for the Toronto Star. “Schneider has made it clear the team won’t carry three catchers, meaning a decision must be made between Valenzuela and Tyler Heineman, with his dismal .155 average, as the backup. Heineman is out of options and would have to clear waivers. Would the Jays really send Valenzuela back to the minors?”

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Toronto Blue Jays’ Alejandro Kirk Replacement Sends Trade Message

Kirk appears to be nearing a return, starting a hitting progression last week that suggests he could be back with the Blue Jays by the end of the month. That could soon force a tough roster decision for the team, but in the meantime, Valenzuela sent a message about the trade that brought him to the organization.

“Being traded to the Blue Jays is the best thing that’s ever happened to me,” Valenzuela told DiManno.

And if he sticks with the big-league team after Kirk returns, he’ll have an even harder time topping that moment.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com