Blue Jays Cut Ties With 29-Year-Old Backstop Immediately Before Season’s End

The Toronto Blue Jays have quietly developed a promising catching duo as the regular season winds down. What began with Alejandro Kirk carrying much of the responsibility behind the plate has evolved into a two-man setup that gives the club another option for the future.

Brandon Valenzuela emerged as an important part of the backstop equation during his rookie season. The 25-year-old has supplied 1.8 fWAR in 85 games, ranking 16th among catchers. His .216 batting average and .659 OPS leave plenty of room for improvement offensively, but nine doubles and eight home runs have provided some production while he continues establishing himself in the majors.

And with Kirk and Valenzuela giving the Blue Jays two established big-league catching options, the organization made another decision involving its depth at the position.

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