Paul DeJong trade details: Blue Jays trade for Cardinals shortstop as insurance for Bo Bichette

Toronto has its insurance at the shortstop position. 

The Blue Jays reportedly acquired infielder Paul DeJong from the Cardinals on MLB deadline day. It comes a day after star shortstop Bo Bichette left the Blue Jays' game with a right knee injury. 

DeJong, 29, is batting .233 this year with 13 HRs and 32 RBIs. He's paired that with a .297 on-base percentage and .412 slugging. He's had an up-and-down career in St. Louis and will be a free agent this winter. 

It marks the third trade that Toronto GM Ross Atkins has made ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. deadline, all involving St. Louis. The Blue Jays previously bolstered their bullpen by acquiring relievers Jordan Hicks and Genesis Cabrera. 

Here is everything you need to know about the deal that sent DeJong to Toronto:

MORE: Tracking latest deals, rumors ahead of MLB trade deadline

Paul DeJong trade details

• Blue Jays receive: SS Paul DeJong
• Cardinals receive: RHP Matt Svanson

The acquisition of DeJong gives the Blue Jays not only gives the team a right-handed bat, which they were reportedly shopping for but also insurance at shortstop. It is currently unclear how long Bichette will be out, who has started in nearly every game for the Blue Jays at the position. 

By no means does DeJong's offense make up for Bichette's bat, but defensively, he ranks in the 97th percentile for outs above average. He also has the ability to play second base, which also was a position of potential interest for Atkins to upgrade. 

The Cardinals received right-handed pitcher Matt Svanson in return for DeJong. He has spent the majority of the 2023 season in High-A with Vancouver, where he sports a 4-1 record with a 1.23 ERA over 29.1 innings pitched.

The 24-year-old reliever was not rated in MLB Pipeline's top-30 Blue Jays prospects. Svanson was selected in the 13th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by Toronto. 

Paul DeJong's career stats