Blue Jays Acquire 23-Year-Old Canadian Outfielder After Angels Cut
The Blue Jays' outfield landscape shifted dramatically after trading Daulton Varsho to the Houston Astros, leaving a significant void in center field. Toronto subsequently acquired 23-year-old Canadian outfielder David Calabrese, released by the Los Angeles Angels, to bolster their depth. This move is notable given the team's need for future athleticism and clarity amidst other outfield uncertainties and injuries. Calabrese, a Richmond Hill native and former third-round pick, is described as a "toolsy" player with plus-plus speed and versatility across all outfield positions. Despite modest minor-league stats and past hamstring issues, he offers promising upside and potential, making him an intriguing, speculative addition to the Blue Jays' organizational talent pool.
The Blue Jays’ outfield picture changed dramatically at the trade deadline, and Toronto is now looking at a much different center-field landscape without Daulton Varsho.
Varsho, who once appeared to be the franchise’s future at center field as he seeks a new contract this winter, was dealt to the Houston Astros on August 3 in exchange for right-hander Spencer Arrighetti, ending his four-season run in Toronto. The move leaves the Blue Jays with questions about who can eventually take over in center field, particularly beyond the short term.
And that makes Toronto’s latest minor-league addition an intriguing one.
Earlier this week, the Blue Jays acquired 23-year-old Canadian outfielder David Calabrese after he was released by the Los Angeles Angels, according to the official transaction log.
Calabrese was born in Richmond Hill, Ontario, and was originally selected by the Angels in the third round of the 2020 MLB Draft.
The timing of the acquisition is notable for Toronto as the team recalibrates its outfield depth after cutting ties with Varsho, mulling Myles Straw’s future club options and promoting Brett Bateman.
The team could use more athleticism in its future outfield mix and it’s hard to say what they might get out of either Anthony Santander or Addison Barger going forward, as both have been struggling with injuries.
“The Blue Jays are most unsettled here, especially if Barger’s recovery takes longer than expected or Santander’s shoulder issues, which derailed his first two seasons with the Blue Jays, aren’t repaired by surgery,” Sportsnet’s Shi Davidi wrote of the outfield picture. “That makes outfield and designated hitter are the easiest areas for the Blue Jays to add the impact so vital to a better offence next year.”
Calabrese has some of the tools that make him worth taking a chance on amid all of that uncertainty.
“Calabrese is a toolsy Canadian-born outfielder who has been limited to 314 games from 2021-24 due to a nagging hamstring injury,” Taylor Ward reported for Baseball America last year. “A plus-plus runner who can play the entire outfield well, he is a patient all-fields slugger at the plate who needs to harness his swing-and-miss and stay on the field… he impressed with two home runs (one going 440+ feet) during the internal instructional league series at Angel Stadium, helping earn series MVP honors.”
Calabrese’s minor-league numbers were modest for the Angels’ system this year, with a .222/.292/.335 slash line and four home runs. In his first two games with the Blue Jays organization, he logged one hit and one walk in seven at-bats while playing center field and right field.