St. Louis Cardinals Trade Paul DeJong to Toronto Blue Jays

 

The St. Louis Cardinals have traded shortstop Paul DeJong, and cash considerations to the Toronto Blue Jays for right-handed reliever Matt Svanson. DeJong, 29, currently is hitting .233 with 38 runs, 65 hits, 11 doubles, 13 home runs, 32 RBI's, 4 stolen bases, and 21 walks in 2023. 

DeJong had his best season in 2019. That season, DeJong was an All-Star and hit .233 with 97 runs, 136 hits, 31 doubles, 1 triple, 30 home runs, 78 RBI's, 9 stolen bases, and 62 walks. The runs, hits, doubles, home runs, RBI's, stolen bases, and walks were all career highs for DeJong.

Overall, DeJong is currently in his 7th MLB season. DeJong has played 698 games with 338 runs, 566 runs, 118 doubles, 4 triples, 115 home runs, 338 RBI's, 23 stolen bases, 213 walks, and a .233 batting average. 

Svanson, 24, is currently 4-1 with a 1.11 ERA, 26 games, 6 saves, 32.1 innings, 39 strikeouts, and 11 walks combined between Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver in 2023. The saves are a career high for Svanson. 

In 2022, Svanson had career highs in wins (8), games (28), starts (9), innings (82.1), and in strikeouts 83) combined between Single-A Dunedin and High-A Vancouver. 

Overall, Svanson is currently in his 3rd minor league season. Svanson is 13-7 with a 3.18 ERA, 65 games, 9 starts, 11 saves, 130.1 innings, 145 strikeouts, and 42 walks. 

Svanson will be assigned to Double-A Springfield.

DeJong can be a free agent after the season. DeJong has a team option for 2024 worth $12.5 million or a $2 million buyout. DeJong is reunited with former Cardinals' teammates Genesis Cabrera, and Jordan Hicks. 

Svanson seems like a interesting return for DeJong. Time will tell to see if he amounts to anything. So far, Johnn Mozeliak has been true to his word when he said he'd get pitching. Will the Cardinals promote shortstop Masyn Winn from Triple-A Memphis soon, now that DeJong is traded? Hopefully, yes. Winn seems ready. To me it's also a good time for Winn to get his feet wet. It's less pressure for Winn, compared to being in a playoff race.