Blue Jays Complete Trade for Nationals Closer

 

The Toronto Blue Jays bullpen has been the team’s weak link all season, beset by injuries and poor performances. Today, they acquired a true closer in Brad Hand from the Washington Nationals, in exchange for catcher Riley Adams. 

OFFICIAL: We've acquired LHP Brad Hand from the Nationals in exchange for C Riley Adams.

A 3-time All-Star, Hand owns a career 3.65 ERA and led @MLB in saves last season. pic.twitter.com/2w8gjAXvhT

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) July 29, 2021

As the Blue Jays themselves pointed out, Hand is a three-time All-Star, and has racked up 21 saves for the Nationals this season. He had 16 saves in the truncated 2020 campaign for Cleveland, and 34 in 2019. 

He will form a formidable 1-2 punch with Jordan Romano at the back end of the Blue Jays bullpen. 

As noted by Blue Jays reporter Shi Davidi, Toronto tried to acquire Hand in the offseason, so they’re familiar with the left-hander. 

The Blue Jays tried to sign Brad Hand during off-season so the interest in him isn’t new. Moving Riley Adams also helps alleviate some of the 40-man roster imbalance caused by carrying five catchers.

— Shi Davidi (@ShiDavidi) July 29, 2021

Riley is currently at Triple-A, and was expendable, as Toronto has a stockpile of high-end catching prospects.  

The Nationals, meanwhile, continue to tear things down, and everyone is waiting for Max Scherzer to be the next domino to fall. 

Photo Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports