MLB trade grades: Cardinals mercifully end Paul DeJong era

MLB trade grades: Cardinals mercifully end Paul DeJong era in trade with Blue Jays

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - JUNE 3: Paul DeJong #11 of the St. Louis Cardinals walks back to the dugout after being called out on strikes in the fifth inning during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on June 3, 2023 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Paul DeJong has been struggling for a couple of seasons now with the Cardinals and will get a fresh start with the Toronto Blue Jays.

Shortstop Paul DeJong was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays just before Tuesday’s MLB Trade Deadline. The St. Louis Cardinals received Matt Svanson, an AA-level pitcher.

The Toronto Blue Jays moved to acquire DeJong after Bo Bichette was removed from Monday’s game. According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, “The early impression is that the Blue Jays made this move to give themselves cover after Bo Bichette exited Monday’s game with right knee discomfort.”

The extent of Bichette’s injury is unknown, but making a move for DeJong provides the Blue Jays with some insurance if he is out for an extended time.

MLB trade grades: Who won the Cardinals-Blue Jays deal for Paul DeJong?

DeJong has struggled mightily over the past couple of seasons, even being demoted to AAA Memphis to improve at the plate. He is a steady defender who tends to overthink things at the plate. This season, He seemed to improve with a simplified approach at the plate, removing his leg kick. He is hitting .233/.297/.412 this season with an OPS of .710. He’s hit 11 doubles, 13 home runs, 38 runs scored, and 32 RBI. Unfortunately, he’s had 87 strikeouts this season.

He came second in 2017 for the NL Rookie of the Year. The Cardinals quickly signed him to a contract that kept him with the Cardinals on a six-year contract worth $26M. The contract took him from 2018-23 with options for 24-25. At the time, this was considered a steal of a deal. In 2019, he was named to the NL All-Star team.

Things appeared to go downhill for DeJong during the Covid-19 shortened 2020 season. He struggled at the plate, and as his frustrations grew, so did his struggles.

In 26 games this season, Svanson has a record of 4-1 with an ERA of 1.11 over 31.1 innings. He has 39 strikeouts on the season. Swanson continues the Cardinals’ trend of making deals for young, controllable pitching to bolster the staff for the future.

Svanson profiles as an innings-eating strike thrower that the Cardinals will desperately need.

Cardinals B+

Blue Jays B

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