The Blue Jays beat the trade clock earlier in the week by completing their flurry of activity with three additional deals.
With another deadline looming Thursday, this one involving 2024 draftees, the Blue Jays also came under the wire with room to spare.
The team’s jewel in this year’s draft was pitcher Trey Yesavage, a highly touted right-hander whom the Jays selected with the 20th overall pick.
When it comes to baseball’s draft, it’s all about bonus money and how much teams are willing to pony up beyond the designated slot figure.
When the price is too high for a team’s liking, a prospect drops in the order.
The slot value for the 20th selection was $4,073,400.
The Jays went a bit north, according to multiple reports, by agreeing with the East Carolina University product on a $4,177,500 bonus.
Fans couldn’t care less when it comes to the exorbitant money getting tossed around when their only concern is watching their favourite team field a winning, or at the very least a competitive product.
The reports on Yesavage, who turned 21 earlier this week, are quite positive.
In recent years, the Jays’ history with first-round picks has been positively bad.
Alek Manoah (11th overall) was taken in 2019, while last year’s pick, shortstop Arjun Nimmala (20th overall), has shown an ability to hit home runs for Single-A Dunedin.
As for Yesavage, the Jays have been monitoring his progression for a few years.
When he fell to them in the draft, the Jays were more than happy to select Yesavage.
At one stage in his development, Yesavage was known as an electric reliever.
He quickly became an elite starter.
Born in Pottstown, Penn., the 6-foot-4 Yesavage was a unanimous selection as pitcher of the year in the AAC.
MLB Pipeline had Yesavage ranked No. 36 in the pre-season draft prospect rankings.
He then moved up to No. 11.
How quickly Yesavage moves up the Jays’ system is anyone’s guess.
He is considered to possess a polished arm, at least according to some in the industry.
Much like the many prospects the Jays acquired when they traded eight players from their big-league roster, the jury is out on Yesavage.
At least he’s signed.
It hasn’t been determined where he’ll be assigned in the Jays’ system.