On the Anniversary of the Daulton Varsho Trade, a Look Back at the Blue Jays’ Biggest Outfield Deals
December 23, 2022, marked a turning point for the Toronto Blue Jays. Coming off a frustrating Wild Card sweep at the hands of the Mariners, the front office made a bold move-one that sent shockwaves through the fanbase.
The Jays acquired outfielder Daulton Varsho from the Arizona Diamondbacks, shipping out top catching prospect Gabriel Moreno and outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. It came on the heels of another emotional trade, when Teoscar Hernández was dealt to Seattle for reliever Erik Swanson.
At the time, the Varsho deal was polarizing. Some saw it as a necessary shakeup, others questioned giving up so much young talent. But now, years later, with all three players involved having helped their respective teams reach the World Series, it’s clear this trade left a lasting mark on both franchises.
So, with the anniversary of that blockbuster move upon us, let’s take a look back at some of the biggest outfield trades in Blue Jays history-deals that, like the Varsho trade, helped shape the identity of the team.
Teoscar Hernández (2017)
Back in 2017, the Blue Jays were coming off two straight postseason appearances but found themselves slipping out of contention. At the trade deadline, they sent veteran lefty Francisco Liriano to the Astros and got a pair of outfielders in return: Nori Aoki and a young power-hitting prospect named Teoscar Hernández.
Aoki was a short-term piece, but Hernández turned into a core part of the Blue Jays’ lineup. Over six seasons in Toronto, he mashed 129 home runs, posted a .263/.320/.503 slash line, and put up a 121 wRC+.
He was worth 10.6 bWAR and helped Toronto get back to the postseason in both 2020 and 2022. For a midseason trade involving a rental pitcher, that’s the kind of return every front office dreams about.
José Bautista (2008)
This one didn’t make headlines when it happened. On August 21, 2008, the Blue Jays traded for José Bautista, sending catcher Robinson Diaz to the Pirates. At the time, Bautista was a utility player with some pop but no clear path to stardom.
That changed in a big way.
By late 2009, something clicked. Bautista finished that season with 10 home runs in his final 40 games, a preview of what was to come.
In 2010, he exploded for a franchise-record 54 home runs, leading the league in long balls in back-to-back seasons. Over the next several years, Bautista became the face of the franchise-six All-Star appearances, three Silver Sluggers, two top-four MVP finishes, and the defining moment of the 2015 postseason: The Bat Flip.
He didn’t just help the Blue Jays win-he helped them matter again.
José Cruz Jr. (1997)
In 1997, the Blue Jays were well out of the playoff race and decided to cash in a pair of relievers-Mike Timlin and Paul Spoljaric-for a 23-year-old outfielder with big upside: José Cruz Jr.
Cruz showed flashes of star potential right away. After the trade, he hit 14 home runs in just 55 games.
Over six seasons in Toronto, he became a steady contributor, with his best year coming in 2001: 34 home runs, 32 stolen bases, 38 doubles, and an .857 OPS. That rare 30/30 season cemented his place in Blue Jays lore.
Devon White (1990)
When the Blue Jays traded for Devon White in December 1990, they were gearing up for something bigger. The deal sent Junior Félix, Luis Sojo, and Ken Rivers to the Angels in exchange for White and two pitchers. What Toronto got in return was one of the best defensive center fielders of his era.
“Devo” was a game-changer. Over five seasons in Toronto, he won a Gold Glove every year-five in total, tied with Roberto Alomar for the most in franchise history.
He brought elite defense to center field and was a spark plug at the top of the lineup. He hit .270/.327/.432 with 72 home runs and 126 stolen bases in Toronto, but it was his glove that made him indispensable.
White was a key piece of the Blue Jays’ back-to-back World Series titles in 1992 and 1993, and his presence in center helped solidify one of the best defensive outfields in baseball.
Joe Carter (1990)
Just three days after acquiring Devon White, GM Pat Gillick made the trade that would define an era. Toronto sent Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez-two fan favorites-to San Diego in exchange for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter.
It was a bold move. McGriff was an elite power hitter, and Fernandez was one of the best shortstops in the game.
But Gillick was done with being close-he wanted to win it all. And with Carter and Alomar, that’s exactly what the Blue Jays did.
Carter spent seven seasons in Toronto, was a five-time All-Star, and won two Silver Sluggers. He hit 203 home runs, drove in over 700 runs, and posted a .257/.308/.473 slash line. His 8.5 bWAR doesn’t tell the whole story, though-because Carter was the man who caught the final out of the ’92 World Series and then walked off the ’93 Series with one of the most iconic home runs in baseball history.
He didn’t just help the Blue Jays win. He finished the job.
Full Circle
The Daulton Varsho trade might not have the same historical weight-yet. But it’s part of a long tradition of bold moves by the Blue Jays to reshape their outfield and redefine their roster. Whether it was finding a franchise cornerstone in Bautista, bringing in postseason heroes like Carter and White, or betting on upside with Cruz and Hernández, Toronto has never been afraid to swing big.
Now, with Varsho in the fold, the Blue Jays are hoping history repeats itself.