Blue Jays trade Turner to Mariners, Kikuchi to Astros as deadline approaches

The Toronto Blue Jays were busy on Monday night, trading veteran infielder/designated hitter Justin Turner and cash considerations to the Seattle Mariners, and reportedly later moving pitcher Yusei Kikuchi to the Houston Astros.

Seattle sent 24-year-old minor league outfield prospect RJ Schreck back to the Jays, while ESPN's Jeff Passan reported Kikuchi's departure would return right-hander Jake Bloss, first baseman/outfielder Joey Loperfido and infielder Will Wagner, the son of former Houston great Billy Wagner.

Turner, 39, signed with Toronto for one season at $13 million US back in January.

But despite high hopes coming into 2024, the disappointing Jays are sellers ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. trade deadline.

OFFICIAL: We’ve acquired OF RJ Schreck from the Mariners in exchange for INF Justin Turner and cash considerations. <br><br>Welcome to our <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> family! <a href="https://t.co/2OKxueRnAw">pic.twitter.com/2OKxueRnAw</a>

Bloss was scratched from his scheduled start against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday before news of the trade broke. Fellow right-hander Tayler Scott got the nod instead.

The 33-year-old Kikuchi went 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA across 22 starts with the Blue Jays this season.

Loperfido, 25, broke into the majors earlier this season but struggled to find consistency. At the time of his call-up, Loperfido was ranked as Houston's 6th-best prospect, according to MLB.com.

Bloss, 23, was Houston's No. 9 prospect. He is in his rookie season and was 0-1 with a 6.94 ERA in three starts for the Astros, one in June and two in July. Wagner, 26, is in triple-A and was ranked as the 13th prospect in the Astros' system.

Toronto had