Blue Jays get bullpen help in Canadian Zach Pop, bring back Anthony Bass
The Toronto Blue Jays solidified their bullpen hours before Tuesday's Major League Baseball trade deadline, acquiring relievers Anthony Bass and Zach Pop from the Miami Marlins for shortstop prospect Jordan Groshans.
The Jays also acquired a player to be named later in the deal.
Bass, 34, has a 2-3 record with a 1.41 earned-run average over 44 2/3 innings with the Marlins this season, with 45 strikeouts and 10 walks.
He spent the 2020 season with Toronto, going 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA in 26 appearances.
The 25-year-old Pop, from Brampton, Ont., has a 2-0 record with a 3.60 ERA in 18 appearances with the Marlins this season, his second in the majors.
Part of what Anthony Bass had to say about the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Marlins?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Marlins</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> trade. He will finally pitch for Toronto in Toronto (2020 was the Buffalo year). <br><br>Bass’ fish Slider and the tank will stay behind in Miami. <a href="https://twitter.com/KeeganMatheson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KeeganMatheson</a> <a href="https://t.co/SFmRJ7Sdja">pic.twitter.com/SFmRJ7Sdja</a>
He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 23rd round of the 2014 MLB draft, but decided not to sign and instead played collegiately at the University of Kentucky.
Pop, who says he grew up a Blue Jays fan, called news of the trade "bittersweet" but said he is looking forward to playing close to home.
"It's pretty special to be able to go back home and see my family and play for the Blue Jays," he told reporters in Miami before the Marlins hosted the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.
"I've got a lot of friends, a lot of people rooting for them right now, and to be a part
