Blue Jays Trade Infielder Will Wagner to Padres

The San Diego Padres acquired infielder Will Wagner from the Toronto Blue Jays in a trade for minor-league catcher Brandon Valenzuela. Wagner, known for his strong bat-to-ball skills and plate discipline but limited power and defensive versatility, has had a mixed season with a .237 batting average overall, including a stronger .340 average at home. Despite initially being blocked on the Padres roster by Ryan O'Hearn and Gavin Sheets, Wagner was optioned to Triple-A El Paso but may see a roster spot before the season ends. Valenzuela, a defensively strong catcher with a .229 average and 34.7% caught-stealing rate at Double-A, fills a need for the Blue Jays' catching depth. Wagner's recent performance with the Blue Jays included a .291/.391/.382 batting line after a slow start and recovery from a knee injury. The trade represents the Padres' effort to bolster bench depth, while the Blue Jays address their catching shortage amid injuries to key players.