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Will Wagner receives major league opportunity through Blue Jays trade
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    Will Wagner receives major league opportunity through Blue Jays trade

    ANAHEIM, Calif. — The Sugar Land Space Cowboys had an off-day July 29, which also happens to be Will Wagner’s birthday, so the 26-year-old infielder along and three of his teammates made some plans.

    In the early afternoon, they went to see the new Deadpool movie and grabbed a bite to eat afterwards. Then, they met up with Wagner’s brothers and his best friend to play some Call of Duty: Warzone when Mason Fluharty, a Liberty University teammate pitching at triple-A Buffalo in the Toronto Blue Jays system, sent him a text message.

    It read: “Hey, the coaches just woke me up from a nap. Are you in this trade?”

    “I texted back, ‘No, I haven’t heard anything. I don’t think it’s me,’” Wagner recalled during an interview in Buffalo last week. “Twenty minutes later the Astros GM (Dana Brown) calls me and was like, ‘We’re sending you to Toronto.’ It was crazy. I kind of blacked out for a second. 

    “I was like, ‘I’m getting traded out of everyone on our team?’ Our team is really good. There two other guys that we thought they were going to be gone off the team. No one ever really said my name in trade rumours. So it was cool.”

    And with that, what was supposed to be a low-key off-day upended not only Wagner’s birthday, but also his career trajectory, two weeks later resulting in him joining the Blue Jays at Angel Stadium. His contract was selected Monday, with infielder Luis De Los Santos optioned back to Buffalo, where Wagner went 10-for-25 with five walks and four strikeouts in seven games. 

    Wagner started five games at second base and one at third with the Bisons in a possible sneak preview of how the Blue Jays may decide to use him. However he fits the puzzle, he’s been a good triple-A performer in need of an opportunity. And thanks to the trade that sent Yusei Kikuchi to Houston for him, Joey Loperfido and Jake Bloss, he’s on a team that can offer one, something that hit him once he had a chance to absorb news of the deal.

    “I was like, well, I don’t think I was ever going to play in the big-leagues with the Astros,” said Wagner. “They have (Alex) Bregman, (Jeremy) Pena, (Jose) Altuve, all those guys are in front of me making it hard to get up there. Then I looked here, I was like, OK, it’s a younger team, I think I have a better opportunity with the Blue Jays, to make a debut here. So I liked the trade.”

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    After years of hard work and dedication in the minor leagues, Will Wagner has finally received his shot at the big leagues thanks to a trade by the Toronto Blue Jays. The 25-year-old infielder was acquired by the Blue Jays in a trade with the New York Mets, and he is eager to prove himself at the highest level of baseball.

    Wagner has been a standout player in the minor leagues, showcasing his versatility as an infielder and his ability to hit for both power and average. In 2021, he hit .270 with 12 home runs and 52 RBIs in 93 games for the Mets’ Double-A affiliate, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies.

    The Blue Jays saw potential in Wagner and decided to take a chance on him, hoping that he can provide some much-needed depth to their infield. With injuries and inconsistencies plaguing the team throughout the season, Wagner’s arrival could not have come at a better time.

    Wagner is known for his strong work ethic and positive attitude, qualities that have endeared him to his teammates and coaches. He is determined to make the most of this opportunity and prove that he belongs in the major leagues.

    While Wagner may not be a household name just yet, he has the potential to make a significant impact for the Blue Jays. Fans are excited to see what he can bring to the table and are hopeful that he can help propel the team to success in the second half of the season.

    Overall, Will Wagner’s journey to the major leagues is a testament to his perseverance and determination. He has worked tirelessly to get to this point, and now that he has finally arrived, he is ready to seize the moment and make the most of this incredible opportunity.