Report: Blue Jays Trade Trent Thornton To Mariners
The Blue Jays have traded reliever Trent Thornton to the Seattle Mariners.
The deal, reported by ESPN's Jeff Passan, comes a week after the Blue Jays designated Thornton for assignment after acquiring Genesis Cabrera from the Cardinals. The Jays received 28-year-old minor-league infielder Mason McCoy in return, Passan reports.
Thornton was initially acquired by Toronto in 2018 from the Astros in exchange for infielder Aledmys Diaz. He pitched parts of five seasons with the Jays, transitioning to a relief role in 2021. Thornton appeared in four games this season, posting a 1.69 ERA across 5.1 innings.
Coming back in the deal, McCoy is a utility infielder who has been in the Mariners' upper minors for the past two seasons. With more than 600 minor-league games to his name, the righty has yet to play a big league game. In 87 Triple-A games this season, McCoy has a .234 average and .737 OPS while playing shortstop, third base, and second base.
Despite Thornton's departure, the Jays still have ample relief pitching depth in Triple-A. Both Nate Pearson and Zach Pop are pitching with the Bisons right now after stints with the Jays.
