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The Toronto Blue Jays come as clear winners in trade with the Minnesota Twins
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Ross Atkins did a lot of work for the Toronto Blue Jays last season acquiring players like Louis Varland and Shane Bieber, but it took some prospects leaving to get them, two of which Kendry Rojas and Alan Roden are now on the Minnesota Twins, and they both have the potential to make Atkins regret trading them.
It's unlikely, but both could be late bloomers, and end up having good Major League careers, it just won't be for the Blue Jays.
Will the Blue Jays regret trading Kendry Rojas and Alan Roden?
Chris Georges of Blue Jays Nation reported on two of these prospects, and their potential with a new team. In the end the Blue Jays got to the World Series so the trades cannot be seen as a failure, but it still makes one curious what was given up.
"Roden is surely the most recognizable name out of that quartet after he made the opening day roster and played 43 underwhelming games with the club last year (.589 OPS). The major league struggles continued after his trade to Minnesota, as well as dealing with a thumb injury that cut his season short, but there's a good chance that the 25-year-old carves out a solid big league career, perhaps with a similar offensive profile to another former Blue Jay in Spencer Horwitz."-Georges
Rojas had a similar injury riddled 2025, he managed to make his way to triple-A but was traded to Minnesota after just one start. While in triple-A in St.Paul he struggled, but the Cuban is only 22 years old, it's normal for him to have an adjustment period, especially after only making eight starts.
"The Cuban left-hander really struggled across eight starts, producing a 6.59 ERA and 2.19 WHIP. Still just 22 years old, Rojas is still on track to reach the big leagues within the next year or two, and has the size and stuff to potentially develop into a #2 or #3 starter at the highest level. Having said that, the injuries have prevented him from putting together a complete season - 84.0 innings are his career high, set in 2023"-Georges
It's easy to say now that the Blue Jays' trades last season were successful. They got to the World Series, and players like Bieber and Varland are still on the team heading into 2026.
If the Blue Jays continue to improve throughout the offseason, like they already have, they'll have another really good shot at winning the World Series. And they will not be thinking about the prospects they dealt away to win it.
Source: Sports Illustrated
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