The Toronto Blue Jays suffered an early exit in the 2022 postseason, dropping a best of three wild card series to the home Seattle Mariners. The loss was devastating for a group that looked poised to contend for the World Series earlier this year, but unfortunately for a strong Mariners, his pitching his staff and the Blue Jays’ loss in Game 2. A bullpen meltdown sent the Jays out early.
The conference series pits the two top teams of the American League against each other, the Houston Astros and the New York Yankees (with the Astros leading 2-0). The National League Championship Series pitted the Philadelphia Phillies against the San Diego Padres, and the Best of Seven Series saw the Phillies lead 2–1.
The Blue Jays are no longer in the playoff picture, but there are former players battling for a shot at the World Series championship. Some only existed for a while, while others had a better track record than others.
We also see some players who spent time with the Jays Organization but never actually played at the big league level and were traded early in their careers.
Let’s dig deeper.
HOUSTON, TX – OCTOBER 20: Aledmys Diaz #16 of the Houston Astros hits a double play against the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on October 20, 2022 at Minute Maid Park in Houston hit the Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Aledmis Diaz – UTIL
After two seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, the Blue Jays traded infielder Aredomis Diaz for outfielder candidate JB Woodman (who retired shortly after) during the 2017/2018 offseason.
At the time, the Jays were beginning to trade off veteran players and headed for a rebuild, with Diaz playing regularly as the Jays’ primary shortstop option during the 2018 season, with third base scattered.At the plate, Cuba 263/.303/.453 slash line in 422 at-bats, adding a career-high 18 home runs and 55 RBIs to the .756 OPS tune.
The following offseason, the Jays traded Diaz to the Houston Astros in exchange for prospect Trent Thornton, and the infielder has remained with the club since the trade.
We turn to the former Blue Jays, who are currently playing in the 2022 AL/NL Championship Series.
Injury bugs have limited the former Jays infielders since the trade, but given that the Astros had solid infield options at the time, pushing Diaz into a bench/utility role, his Roles have changed. This season, the right-handed hitter has spent time at six different positions and has his OPS of .691 in 305 at-bats.
Diaz appeared in two ALCS games with the Yankees, going seven at bats with no hits and one strikeout.
