The Toronto Blue Jays have lost 23-year-old infielder Eddinson Paulino to the New York Mets just ahead of Opening Day. As both teams aim to bounce back from disappointing finishes last season, Paulino’s move adds an interesting twist between the two organizations.
Paulino had spent the past year and a half in Toronto’s farm system after being acquired from the Boston Red Sox in a trade that sent catcher Danny Jansen the other way. Earlier in his minor-league career, he showed promise with solid performances at the lower levels. However, his production dipped last season at Double-A, where his offensive numbers fell short of expectations.
Because of that, the Blue Jays chose not to add him to their 40-man roster during the offseason. Paulino then opted for minor-league free agency, hoping to find a better opportunity to eventually reach the majors.
That opportunity may now come with the Mets, who signed him to a minor-league deal late in the offseason. He was initially assigned to High-A St. Lucie, though he could still move up to Double-A or even Triple-A before the season begins.
Despite his inconsistency, Paulino has intriguing tools. He has hit double-digit home runs in three of the past four seasons and recorded more than 25 stolen bases in both 2022 and 2023. Still, his struggles at Double-A last year—where he hit just .198—made it difficult for Toronto to view him as a near-term call-up option.
While a major league debut may not be imminent, the Mets see potential value in his versatility and athleticism. If he can improve his on-base performance, this could turn into a smart pickup—and one that might eventually make the Blue Jays regret letting him go.
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