Toronto entered the 2020s with strong catching depth featuring Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno. The front office traded Moreno (with Lourdes Gurriel Jr.) to Arizona for Daulton Varsho in winter 2022 to prioritize defensive upgrades. At the 2024 deadline the team traded Danny Jansen to Boston for three prospects: Cutter Coffey, Eddinson Paulino and Gilberto Batista. The club signed Alejandro Kirk to a five-year, $58 million extension before 2025. Kirk produced an All-Star 2022 (4.0 bWAR) but hit poorly in 2023–2024 (−15.6 offensive fWAR, 44th among catchers) while remaining an elite defender; he posted a 2025 wRC+ of 114.
It wasn't that long ago that the Toronto Blue Jays catching depth was the crown jewel of their system. Between Danny Jansen, Alejandro Kirk and Gabriel Moreno, the Blue Jays were in a great position considering the talent they had, lining it up with their competitive window. But they also soon faced a cross-roads. Only one guy can catch every day, and with needs at other positions, and free agency looming, the Blue Jays pulled the trigger in a series of moves.
In the winter of 2022, they sent the youngest of the group, Moreno, to the Arizona Diamondbacks (along with outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.) in exchange for Daulton Varsho as the Blue Jays decided to start focusing more on defensive upgrades on the big league roster. Then at the 2024 trade deadline, with the Blue Jays out of contention, they sent Jansen to their division rivals, the Boston Red Sox, in exchange for three prospects; infielders Cutter Coffey and Eddinson Paulino, and pitcher Gilberto Batista.
For one, Kirk only had one really good season in his first five years in the big leagues. That came in 2022 when he was an All-Star and finished with a 4.0 bWAR in 139 games. However, over the next two seasons Kirk was a below average hitter. Among all catchers between 2023 and 2024, Kirks -15.6 offensive fWAR ranked 44th.
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