The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Sunday night, through a team announcement, that they have acquired outfielder John Mayberry Jr. from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for minor-league third baseman Gustavo Pierre. The deal was completed and announced before Sunday night's waiver trade deadline at midnight. Teams can still make waiver trades, but the players involved will not be eligible for their team's postseason rosters, if their team makes it. Because the deal was completed before the deadline, Mayberry will be able to be eligible for the postseason roster, if the Blue Jays make it, which seems unlikely at the moment.
John Mayberry Jr., 30, has been on the 15-day disabled list since the latter parts of July due to a wrist injury. Mayberry had been rehabbing with the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley. Many believe that he is very close to being ready to returning to the big leagues. Mayberry will team up with Kevin Pillar as a backup to the Blue Jays' solid starting outfield core of Jose Bautista, Colby Rasmus and Melky Cabrera, for the team's last month of play of the season, unless the team makes an improbable postseason appearance.
Mayberry has hit .213/.304/.418 with six home runs and 21 runs batted in, while playing all three outfield positions, as well as playing some first base, all in 63 games this season. Mayberry will be arbitration-eligible after the 2014 season and is under team control through the 2016 season.
Gustavo Pierre, 22, has spent the majority of the 2014 season with the Blue Jays' High-A affiliate in Dunedin before being promoted to their Double-A affiliate in New Hampshire. Pierre was hitting .260/.281/.389 with eight home runs and 43 runs batted in with Dunedin and New Hampshire.