Blue Jays acquire 3B Matt Chapman from Oakland for 4 players
TORONTO (AP) — All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman was acquired by the Toronto Blue Jays from the payroll-shredding Oakland Athletics for four players on Wednesday.
A five-year veteran and three-time Gold Glove winner, Chapman hit .201 with 27 home runs and 72 RBIs in 151 games for the Athletics last season. He was a first-time All-Star in 2019.
Since the end of the lockout, the A’s also dealt All-Star righty Chris Bassitt to the New York Mets and first baseman Matt Olson to Atlanta. The three trades cut Oakland’s projected payroll by about $30 million.
“You see what was happening around here,’’ Chapman said of Oakland. “It’s sad to leave, but it’s happy to go somewhere where it’s going to be an incredible opportunity. A lot of emotions, but I think it’s going to be an amazing next couple of years.”
Oakland received right-hander Gunnar Hoglund, Toronto’s top pick in the 2021 amateur draft, minor league left-hander Zach Logue, left-handed reliever Kirby Snead, and infielder Kevin Smith.
Chapman is eligible for arbitration this season and next. He earned $6.54 million in 2021, including a $50,000 bonus for Gold Glove.
Chapman is the latest addition in a busy offseason for the Blue Jays, who went 91-71 last year but finished one game behind Boston and New York in the AL wild-card race. Toronto also signed right-hander Kevin Gausman, left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, and right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia.
“I know how talented they are,” Chapman said. “It’s a team that’s ready to compete now, and they’re ready to win and go for it. I couldn’t be happier to go join that.”
The Blue Jays have had success in the past with former Oakland infielders. Josh Donaldson won the 2015 AL MVP award after being acquired from the Athletics the previous offseason, while Marcus Semien starred for Toronto last year before signing with Texas.
After choosing college over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2018 amateur draft, Hoglund went 10-5 in three seasons at Mississippi before signing with Toronto last summer. He had elbow ligament replacement surgery in May 2021 and has not pitched as a professional.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired third baseman Matt Chapman from Oakland in exchange for four players.
A five-year veteran and three-time Gold Glove winner, Chapman hit .201 with 27 home runs and 72 RBI in 151 games for the Athletics last season. He was a first-time All-Star in 2019.
Chapman is eligible for arbitration this season and next. He earned $6.49 million in 2021.
Oakland gets right-hander Gunnar Hoglund, Toronto’s top draft pick in 2021, minor league left-hander Zach Logue, left-handed reliever Kirby Snead, and infielder Kevin Smith.
Chapman is the latest addition in a busy offseason for the Blue Jays, who went 91-71 last season but finished one game behind Boston and New York in the wild card standings. Toronto also signed right-hander Kevin Gausman, left-hander Yusei Kikuchi, and right-handed reliever Yimi Garcia.
The Blue Jays have had success in the past with former Oakland infielders. Josh Donaldson won the 2015 AL MVP award after being acquired from the Athletics the previous winter, while Marcus Semien starred for Toronto last year before signing with Texas this offseason.
After choosing college over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2018 draft, Hoglund went 10-5 in three seasons at Mississippi before signing with Toronto last summer. He had elbow ligament replacement surgery in May 2021 and has not pitched as a professional.
