‘It’s exceptionally exciting’: Matt Chapman joins Toronto Blue Jays

‘It’s exceptionally exciting’: Matt Chapman joins Toronto Blue Jays

Matt Chapman

The Toronto Blue Jays acquired the services of star third baseman Matt Chapman from the A’s for a package of prospects on Wednesday.

Here are trade details:

  • Blue Jays Get: 3B Matt Chapman
  • A’s Get: RHP Gunnar Hoglund, SS Kevin Smith, LHP Zach Logue and LHP Kirby Snead

Talking about his trade, the California native Chapman expressed his excitement to join the Toronto team. 

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“I’m excited,” Chapman said. “They’ve already got a great thing going, and I just want to come in and do my part and be a part of a great team that’s already achieved so much. And now coming back after what they did last year ready to rock, and they keep adding pieces. … They’ve got a lot of good pieces, good pitching. I get to go play defence and show people what I can do.”

“Chapman is obviously a very good fit for us”

Ross Atkins
Ross Atkins

The Blue Jays’ general manager Ross Atkins also shed light on the thought process of his side while picking Chapman in the trade.

“It’s exceptionally exciting,” said Atkins. “One of the highlights of my day was seeing some of the looks on the faces in our clubhouse, with how excited our team is to be adding someone of that calibre with his reputation. This is obviously a very good fit for us.”

“He’s so well-rounded and such a good player with such a good track record,” Atkins said. “He’s extremely durable. He’s played constantly and is always making an impact. Last year, we saw him a good bit and I didn’t want to see him hitting against us. I still feel like he’s a very viable offensive threat, a big-time threat on both sides of the ball, and that’s hard to find.”

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