Jimmy Paredes‘ brief stint in Toronto ended unceremoniously Wednesday, when the Blue Jays traded him to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash or a player to be named later.
The Blue Jays designated the utility player for assignment Monday, when a taxing weekend against the Boston Red Sox led to the promotion of Ryan Tepera.
Toronto initially obtained the switch-hitting Paredes on a waiver claim from the Baltimore Orioles May 16 and he rewarded the team with four hits, including a home run, in 15 at bats.
Paredes, 27, hit 10 home runs for the Orioles last year, posting a .275/.310/.416 batting line. On defence he’s versatile enough to play second base, third base, left field and right field, but not particularly skilled at any one spot. While manager John Gibbons was impressed by his hitting, his defensive limitations made it tough for the Blue Jays to get him into games regularly.
“He wasn’t playing a lot,” Gibbons noted. “Maybe he gets through (waivers), maybe he doesn’t.”
This deal shows that there was indeed interest in Paredes, who fits better on a Phillies team that can afford to be patient.
