Toronto Blue Jays trade reliever Yimi Garcia to Seattle Mariners for Jonatan Clase, Jacob Sharp

Garcia, who signed as a free agent with the Jays ahead of the 2022 season, has spent three years with the team as one of their better relievers. This season he’s taken his game to another level, posting a 2.70 ERA across 30 innings, striking out opposing batters at a 36.5 percent clip, and walking them at just a seven percent clip.

With Jordan Romano dealing with an elbow injury, Garcia was also used as a closer at times this year, securing five saves and blowing just one.

The Jays return Clase, the Mariners 10th ranked prospect, and Sharp, who wasn’t ranked in their top 30 prospects, in the deal. Clase was signed as a free agent by the Mariners in July 2018, while Sharp was taken in the 17th round of the 2023 draft.

Clase, a switch-hitter, has 97th percentile speed, stealing 79 bases between A+ and AA ball last season, while slashing .242/.353/.449 for a .802 OPS with 20 home runs across the levels. He appeared in 21 High-A games before being bumped up to the AA level, where he played in 108.

The 22-year-old earned his first call-up to the big leagues this season, with 43 plate appearances across 19 games, but hasn’t seen much success hitting for a .452 OPS.

But in the AAA ranks this year, he has been electric, stealing 26 bases across 59 games, slashing .274/.373/.483 for a .856 OPS. For as much of a speedster as he is, he’s also got some power in his bat, with 10 home runs this season in AAA.

Sharp, also 22, has spent this season in A-ball for the Modesto Nuts, slashing .255/.339/.435 for a .773 OPS, posting a .987 fielding percentage with 28 assists.

The Jays appear to make out well in this deal, adding a speedy, switch-hitting outfielder who appears to be on the cusp of breaking it full-time in the big leagues.