Report: Blue Jays Acquire LHP Brad Hand

Originally posted on FanNation Inside The Blue Jays
By Mitch Bannon | Last updated 7/29/21

The trading has begun.

With just over 24 hours until the 2021 MLB Trade Deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays have acquired left-handed reliever Brad Hand from the Washington Nationals. Washington Post's Jesse Dougherty was the first to report the transaction.

In return, the Blue Jays have sent catching prospect Riley Adams, the No. 16 prospect in Toronto's system, per MLB.com.

A free agent at the end of the season, Hand has registered 21 saves for the Nationals this season. In 42.2 innings, the lefty has a 3.59 ERA, 4.33 FIP, and a 1.148 WHIP. After years of one of the highest strikeout rates in the big leagues, hand's K/9 has dropped to just 8.9 this season.

Hand was a member of the All-MLB Second Team last season, and the Blue Jays made an attempt to sign the reliever in the offseason, per Jon Heyman. With a clear need at the back of the bullpen, Toronto made their fourth RP acquisition of the season, after trading for Jacob Barnes, Adam Cimber, and Trevor Richards earlier this month.

Heading back to the Nationals is catching prospect Adams, who had a .107 batting average in 30 MLB plate appearances this season. After a brief but unsuccessful MLB debut, Adams was sent back to Triple-A Buffalo, and found himself in a catching logjam. Toronto has MLB catchers Reese McGuire, Danny Jansen, and Alejandro Kirk as well as top prospect Gabriel Moreno recovering from thumb surgery in Double-A.

This article first appeared on FanNation Inside The Blue Jays and was syndicated with permission.

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