Brett Bateman Has Been a Home Run of a Trade Acquisition

[Bryan Jaeger]

Editor's Note: This piece was written before Bateman exited last night's game due to injury. If this marks the end of his season, there's no question his debut campaign was a success.  

Some questioned the Toronto Blue Jays' decision to acquire Brett Bateman in the trade that sent Kevin Gausman to the Chicago Cubs. The Blue Jays desperately needed power and MLB-ready arms, but they acquired a contact-hitting, speed-based player who matched the profile of players already on the 26-man roster. Bateman was the 20th-ranked prospect in the Cubs’ organization and was thought to hopefully make an impact in 2027. 

However, injuries and poor play in the majors kept the prospect to just two games with Triple-A Buffalo. Since the rookie made his MLB debut on August 7, Toronto is 19-18. He’s been an everyday leadoff hitter, providing a consistent on-base threat from the left side of the plate – the kind of player the Blue Jays lacked in the role. Heading into Monday's game, he had slashed .322/.393/.416 with 26 runs, two home runs, 11 knocked in, and three stolen bases. Bateman has also been an upgrade over Daulton Varsho in center field.

Compared to the other 24 batters in the majors currently who were traded at the deadline, Bateman has the highest fWAR rating. Liam Hicks of the Tampa Bay Rays is the only player remotely close to the Blue Jays rookie. Bateman also ranks tied for fourth among center fielders since August 7; Varsho ranks last among 20 qualified players.

Hitters Traded at the Deadline

Player	Team	fWAR
Brett Bateman	TOR	1.6
Adley Rutschman	BOS	0.3
Luis Arraez	PHI	0.4
Luis García Jr.	NYY	0.6
Tyrone Taylor	CHC	0.9
Liam Hicks	TBR	1.3
Heliot Ramos	NYY	-0.3
Lars Nootbaar	ARI	0.3
Taylor Ward	SEA	-0.8
Daulton Varsho	HOU	-0.3
Jo Adell	CLE	0.3
Moisés Ballesteros	LAA	-0.6
Nathaniel Lowe	CLE	0.1
Brenton Doyle	CWS	-0.1
Josh Smith	TOR	0.7
Eli White	BOS	0.1
Rece Hinds	BAL	-0.1
Hunter Feduccia	LAD	0.2
Lane Thomas	ATL	-0.1
Bo Naylor	MIL	0.1
Jake Rogers	CHW	-0.1
Logan O'Hoppe	TEX	0.0
Jahmai Jones	BOS	0.8
Ben Rortvedt	LAD	-0.2

The Blue Jays got a jolt after Bateman joined the lineup, getting back into the postseason picture. However, those hopes are nearly erased with six games remaining. They’re three games behind the Chicago White Sox for the third Wild Card spot, which is essentially a four-game deficit with the White Sox owning the tiebreaker. The best bet is that the Cleveland Guardians, who have a one-game lead in the AL Central, falter, since the Blue Jays own the tiebreaker over them. 

The Guardians finish the season with two road series against the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals. The White Sox have an easier route to the postseason: a road series against the Royals and a home series against the Rockies. It's highly unlikely either falters enough for the Blue Jays to overtake them, but matchups with the Baltimore Orioles and Cincinnati Reds give Toronto an opportunity. However, looking at next season, if Bateman continues his success, the team has a piece they can rely on for a nearly everyday leadoff hitter.

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