Blue Jays Send Reliever To The KC Royals

 

Toronto Blue Jays fans have been clamoring for a bullpen trade as we head towards the trade deadline. But this probably isn't what they were looking for. The Jays have traded reliever Joel Payamps to the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations. 

The Blue Jays have traded right-handed reliever Joel Payamps to the Royals for cash considerations.https://t.co/zKUrCZylMs

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) July 21, 2021

Payamps was designated for assignment last week to make room on the roster for reliever Ryan Borucki, coming off the injured list. 

The 27-year-old Payamps pitched to a 2.70 ERA in 30 innings for the Blue Jays this season. After a rough month of May, he actually pitched well in June, with only 3 hits and 2 runs allowed in 9.1 innings. 

In fact, the numbers show that Payamps even ranked in the top 10% in baseball in hard-hit rate, average exit velocity, expected ERA, and expected batting average. But for some reason, he'd fallen out of favor with Jays' manager Charlie Montoyo.

No word as of yet on the Royals' usage plans for Payamps. 

Photo Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports