The Boston Red Sox traded for a Yankee killer just hours before their game versus the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on July 27.
Danny Jansen, the Toronto Blue Jays’ catcher, has been dealt to the Red Sox. The tedious details of the transaction have yet to be revealed, but the Red Sox will send High-A infielder Cutter Coffey to Toronto, among other prospects.
Jansen began his 2024 season on a similar trajectory as Boston catcher Connor Wong, but his offensive output has dropped. However, the 29-year-old has a.901 career OPS versus the Yankees, which fits the Red Sox lineup well. Rafael Devers is widely known as Yankee kryptonite, and Ceddanne Rafaela and Masataka Yoshida are following in his footsteps. Jansen, the Red Sox’s second pitcher, might help the team dominate the season series against its rivals.
Both Wong and Reese McGuire started the 2024 season strong at the plate, but they’ve since plateaued. Wong’s batting average fell below.300 for the first time on July 23, and McGuire is swiping.He has a 174/.237/.233 batting line in his last 30 games.
Red Sox trade with Blue Jays to get catcher Danny Jansen, who has had success against the Yankees.
Jansen’s offence may not provide the most significant increase, but his full-season numbers are slightly higher than McGuire’s. He is also right-handed, whereas McGuire bats left – Boston has been eager for right-handed batters this year, since it has struggled against left-handed pitchers. Jansen is batting.212/.303/.369 with 13 doubles, six home runs, and 16 RBI in 61 games with the Jays, a limited sample size given that Alejandro Kirk is their primary backstop.
Jansen has walked 25 times and struck out 42 times, resulting in an 82nd percentile walk rate and a 70th percentile strikeout rate. He’s also an outstanding blocker, with 11 blocks above average, ranking in the top two percent of the league.Wong is in the worst two percent of the league for blocks above average, while McGuire is in the bottom quarter.
Overall, the Jansen trade will not significantly increase Boston’s offence, but it should improve its success rate against left-handed pitching. The Red Sox wanted to become more right-handed, and Jansen will deliver more frequently than McGuire.
Boston will still want another right-handed hitter if it hopes to generate significant offence on the right side.
Be the first to comment