*Photo from the Dallas Morning News*
The bullpen is loading up in Canada. The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired RHP Jordan Hicks from the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for RHP's Adam Kloffenstein and Sem Robberse, according to Craig Mish of Sportsgrid. Both teams have confirmed the trade.
Blue Jays closer Jordan Romano was placed on the 15 Day IL with back inflammation a few days ago. To replace him in the back end of the bullpen, the Blue Jays acted swiftly to acquire the flamethrowing Hicks, currently serving as the Cardinals closer with Ryan Helsley injured.
Over the last 3 months, Hicks has been one of baseball's best relievers, and after he couldn't agree to an extension with the Cardinals, they put him on the market, with the Blue Jays pouncing. His fastball averages 101 miles an hour, with his sinker averaging 100, making those two pitches among the 6 fastest in baseball.
Hicks has enjoyed a solid season for the Cardinals thus far. He has a 3.67 ERA, 3.02 FIP, and 1.512 WHIP, averaging 12.7 strikeouts per 9 innings and picking up 8 saves in 41 2/3 innings pitched and 40 relief appearances, finishing 16 games on the season.
This season, Hicks has thrown 373 pitches over 100 miles an hour, comfortably putting him in first in baseball. He ranks second in baseball with 22 pitches over 103 miles an hour. He has maxed out at 104.3 miles an hour on the radar gun this season, surpassed by only Minnesota Twins reliever Jhoan Duran.
One of the pieces coming back to St. Louis is Kloffenstein, a 2018 draft pick of the Blue Jays. With Double A New Hampshire this season, Kloffenstein has a 3.24 ERA and 1.270 WHIP in 17 starts and 89 innings, averaging 10.6 strikeouts per 9 innings and 3.6 walks per 9.
Robberse is the other part of the return, ranked as the 7th best Blue Jays prospect per MLB Pipeline. With New Hampshire this season, Robberse has a 1.173 WHIP and 4.06 ERA in 88 2/3 innings, averaging 3.3 walks per 9 in 18 starts.
The back end of the Blue Jays bullpen now has Tim Mayza, Yimi Garcia, Erik Swanson, and Hicks to go with Romano when he eventually returns. The Blue Jays will also get Chad Green activated as he is set to return from Tommy John Surgery rehab.
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