Trade Tree: How drafting Gunnar Hoglund landed the Blue Jays two defensive specialists

The Toronto Blue Jays turned 2021 first-round draft pick Gunnar Hoglund into elite defensive specialists Matt Chapman and Andrés Giménez through an evolving trade tree. Toronto packaged Hoglund with Kirby Snead, Kevin Smith, and Zach Logue to acquire Chapman from the Oakland Athletics in March 2022. Chapman spent two seasons in Toronto and won a Gold Glove before departing in free agency.

Chapman's departure yielded a draft compensation pick used on outfielder Nick Mitchell. The Blue Jays subsequently traded Mitchell and Spencer Horwitz to the Cleveland Guardians to acquire Platinum Glove winner Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin. The writer argues that the Blue Jays maximized value from a drafted pitcher who ultimately struggled with injuries and performance.