Blue Jays finalizing deal to acquire third baseman Matt Chapman in trade with A’s

| March 16, 2022, 9:00 AM

March 16, 2022, 9:00 AM

DUNEDIN, Fla. – The Toronto Blue Jays are on the verge of acquiring Matt Chapman from the Oakland Athletics, according to two industry sources, addressing a gaping hole at third base with the latest bold strike.

The pieces are still being finalized but the expectation is the deal will be completed.

Chapman is a 28-year-old all-star and Gold Glover, who is under contractual control for the next two seasons and is projected to earn $9.5 million in his second time through arbitration. Even in a down offensive year in 2021, Chapman still produced 3.5 WAR, as calculated by Baseball Reference, and has a career OPS of .808.

The deal is reminiscent of the one from November 2014, when Brett Lawrie headlined a package the Blue Jays sent to the Athletics for another third baseman, Josh Donaldson.

Freed from Oakland’s pitcher-friendly confines, Donaldson went off during a monster 2015 that earned him American League MVP honours.

Chapman may very well benefit similarly from joining a daunting offensive lineup in the offence-friendly American League East.

With files from Hazel Mae