Blue Jays trade Russell Martin to Dodgers
January 11, 2019
Official Toronto Blue Jays Press Release
BLUE JAYS COMPLETE TRADE WITH DODGERS
The TORONTO BLUE JAYS have acquired SS RONNY BRITO and RHP ANDREW SOPKO from the LOS ANGELES DODGERS in exchange for C RUSSELL MARTIN and cash considerations.
MARTIN, 35, hit .194 with eight doubles, 10 home runs, and 56 walks over 90 games in the 2018 season. The East York, ON native played four seasons with the Blue Jays, collecting 59 doubles, 66 home runs, and 211 RBI over 447 games. The 13-year veteran has a career batting average of .249, an OBP of .349, and four All-Star appearances.
BRITO, 19, slashed .295/.359/.496 across 61 games with the DSL Dodgers and the Rookie-level Ogden Raptors. The San Francisco de Macoris, DR native signed with the Dodgers in 2015. Over three Minor League seasons, the shortstop has combined to hit .259 with 32 doubles, six triples, 15 home runs, and 104 RBI in 148 games.
SOPKO, 24, started last season with the Advanced-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes where he went 3-4 with a 3.22 ERA in 12 starts. He was promoted to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers in June and posted a 3-1 record with a 3.88 ERA across 14 games to close out the season. The 2015 seventh-round pick has a career Minor League record of 27-17 while recording a 3.61 ERA and 363 strikeouts over 394.1 innings.