The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired catcher Zack Collins from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for catcher Reese McGuire, both teams announced Sunday.
The move gives Toronto greater roster flexibility, as McGuire has run out of minor league options and the Blue Jays consequently were considering carrying three catchers this year (McGuire, Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk).
Instead, the Jays have acquired Collins, who has one option year left.
Collins, 27, is a former first-round draft pick by the White Sox (2016) whose batting average never climbed above .210 in three MLB seasons. His 2021 season was by far his most productive, as he appeared in 78 games, drove in 26 runners and drew 34 walks.
McGuire, also 27 and also a former first-round draft pick (Pittsburgh Pirates, 2013), has a much healthier batting average (.248) over four MLB seasons. In 2021, he batted .253 in 198 at-bats with 15 doubles and 10 RBIs.
–Field Level Media