The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired UTIL Whit Merrifield from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for RHP Max Castillo and OF Samad Taylor.
Merrifield, 33, has batted .240 with 23 doubles, one triple, six home runs, and 42 RBI during his 95 games for Kansas City this season. The University of South Carolina product was selected by the Royals in the ninth round of the 2010 draft and reached the majors in 2016. During his seven seasons with the Royals, the native of Florence, SC, was named an All-Star on two occasions while batting .286 with a .757 OPS over 863 contests.
Castillo, 23, owns a 3.05 ERA while making two starts and seven relief appearances for the Blue Jays during his rookie season. The native of Caracas, Venezuela, signed with the Blue Jays in 2015. Over the course of six Minor League campaigns, the 6-2, 280 lb. righty went 45-18 with a 3.74 ERA.
Taylor, 24, has hit .258 with 21 extra-base hits and 45 RBI while stealing 23 bases in 70 games for Triple-A Buffalo this season. The 5-10, 160 lb. outfielder was drafted by Cleveland in 2016 and joined the Blue Jays via trade in 2017. The native of Corona, CA, has a career slash line of .256/.341/.418 across his six Minor League seasons.
