The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired shortstop Jonathan Villar of La Vega, Dominican Republic from the Miami Marlins on Monday. Villar was one of three players the Blue Jays added to their roster as they also acquired pitchers Robbie Ray from the Arizona Diamondbacks and Ross Stripling from the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In 2020, Villar currently leads the Major Leagues with nine stolen bases. Known for his speed, Villar has 211 career stolen bases, and led Major League Baseball with 62 stolen bases in 2016 while with the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Blue Jays become Villar’s fifth Major League Baseball team. In addition to the Marlins and Brewers, Villar has played for the Houston Astros and Baltimore Orioles. In 30 games this season, Villar is batting .259 with two home runs, nine runs batted in, 10 runs scored, 30 hits, four doubles, 10 walks, a .315 on base percentage, .345 slugging percentage, 40 total bases, one sacrifice fly, and one sacrifice bunt.
To acquire Villar, the Blue Jays will send a player to be named later to Miami. Meanwhile the Blue Jays sent two players to be named later to the Dodgers for Stripling. As for the Ray deal, the Blue Jays will be sending relief pitcher Travis Bergen to Arizona.
Stripling and Ray have struggled this year. Stripling has an earned run average of 5.61, and Ray has an earned run average of 7.84.
