The Toronto Blue Jays made the decision to designate veteran infielder Paul DeJong for assignment, just 18 days after acquiring him from the St. Louis Cardinals. DeJong was brought in to provide some depth to the Blue Jays’ roster after All-Star shortstop Bo Bichette was placed on the injured list with right knee soreness. However, with Bichette now back in action, and DeJong struggling to find his footing, the Blue Jays decided to trim him off the roster.
Toronto general manager Ross Atkins initially expressed his excitement about landing DeJong earlier this month, even before Bichette’s injury. Atkins believed that DeJong would be an interesting fit for the team, citing his ability to hit left-handers well and his strong defensive skills. However, it seems that in reality, DeJong failed to meet the expectations set for him.
Throughout his seven-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, DeJong had shown promise. However, his performance with the Blue Jays left much to be desired. Batting mostly towards the bottom of the order, DeJong struggled to find his rhythm at the plate. In just 14 games, he managed to accumulate only three hits and one RBI while striking out 18 times. For a player who was considered a valuable addition, this level of performance was simply not enough.
The designation for assignment does not necessarily mean the end of DeJong’s career with the Blue Jays. It might be possible for him to be claimed off waivers by another team or even be sent back down to the minor leagues within the Blue Jays organization. However, it is clear that his time with the major league team has not gone as expected.
As for the Blue Jays, the decision to designate DeJong is a reflection of their commitment to fielding the strongest possible roster. With Bichette now healthy and back in the lineup, the team felt that they no longer needed DeJong’s services. This move also allows the Blue Jays to explore other options both internally and externally to fill any gaps in the roster.
The Toronto Blue Jays’ acquisition of Paul DeJong has proven to be unsuccessful. Despite the initial enthusiasm surrounding his addition to the team, DeJong failed to deliver on the field. With a lackluster performance at the plate and mounting strikeouts, it became evident that DeJong did not fit in with the Blue Jays’ lineup. The designation for assignment serves as a reminder that even with careful assessment and planning, not all acquisitions will pan out as expected. The Blue Jays will now shift their focus to finding alternative solutions to strengthen their roster and improve their chances for success.
Leave a Reply