After years of rejecting overtures, the Kansas City Royals finally traded Whit Merrifield. Merrifield is headed to the Toronto Blue Jays for infielder Samad Taylor and righty Max Castillo, reports The New York Post And MLB.com.
Merrifield was among 10 Royals players unable to travel to Toronto last month due to vaccination status.. He said he would consider vaccinating the team come the postseason, however, and the Blue Jays are very much in the running. They enter Tuesday in the top American League wild-card spot, four games out of a postseason berth.
“It’s been a long thought process, because I understand what’s going on in Canada right now. I’ll think about getting it right now, that’s why going to Canada. It could change the course,” Mary said. Field said last. “If something happens and I end up on a team that has a chance to play in Canada in the postseason, that might change. But as we sit here right now, I’m happy with my decision, my teammates.” The teammates support me, support the rest of the guys here who have made this decision, and that’s it.”
It is important to note that Canadian law requires international travelers to wait 14 days after the second shot of the single-dose vaccine or two-dose vaccine before entering the country. The Blue Jays begin a nine-game road trip on Tuesday. Their next home match is on Friday, Aug. 12. If she hasn’t been vaccinated yet, the oldest Maryfield can play in Toronto on Tuesday, Aug. 16, if he gets the single-shot vaccine. He will miss at least four home games in that case.
Merrifield, 33, is having the worst season of his career, slashing .240/.290/.352 with six home runs and 15 stolen bases. He is under contract until next season. Merrifield has played many different positions in his career but is primarily second baseman and right fielder at this point. The Royals have cut back on his center field time in recent years.
MLB.com has Taylor, 24, the no. 16 prospects in Toronto’s system. He has a .258/.337/.426 line with nine homers and 23 steals in 70 Triple-A games this season. Castillo, 23, has a 3.05 ERA in 20 2/3 innings this year as an up-and-down depth arm.