Exiled and Explosive: Former Blue Jays Misfit Now Thriving With Division Rival — Toronto Fans Watching in Frustration

It’s the kind of story that makes Blue Jays fans grit their teeth — a player once dismissed, doubted, and discarded by Toronto is now thriving in enemy territory, and doing it in dramatic, almost cinematic fashion.

Just months after being let go by the Blue Jays, is now turning heads and torching pitchers as a key contributor to one of Toronto’s fiercest AL East rivals. Every home run, clutch RBI, or shut-down inning feels like a painful reminder of what could’ve been. And for Blue Jays fans, it’s becoming harder and harder to ignore the impact of what’s looking more and more like a serious misjudgment by the front office.

When the Blue Jays parted ways with the move barely caused a ripple. He was seen by many as underwhelming, inconsistent, or simply a poor fit. Whether it was due to a lack of opportunity, bad timing, or underdeveloped potential, his time in Toronto ended with little fanfare and even less expectation.

Sometimes all it takes is a fresh start. joined the this season and has completely flipped the script on his career. His batting average is climbing steadily, his power numbers are far beyond what he posted in Toronto, and he’s quickly becoming a fan favorite in a city that once booed him as a visiting player.

In his first few series against the Blue Jays this year, has been nothing short of dominant. Whether it’s launching a game-winning home run in the ninth or flashing leather in the field to rob a potential rally, he’s been at the center of nearly every key moment. And yes — the timing of those highlights has stung deeply for Blue Jays faithful.

Blue Jays fans have taken to social media to vent their frustration. Some blame the front office. Others say he never got a fair chance. A few argue he wouldn’t have blossomed in Toronto anyway — that it was simply never going to work in that environment.

Baseball analysts have also weighed in, with several noting how his new team is using him differently — putting him in more favorable hitting situations, surrounding him with supportive coaching, and giving him the leash to work through early struggles.

It’s an uncomfortable contrast for Toronto’s player development system, which has prided itself on identifying and nurturing young talent. In this case, however, it appears they gave up too soon — and now they’re watching a division opponent reap the benefits.

This storyline is shaping up to be one of the more bitter plotlines of the Blue Jays’ 2025 season. Not only has become a daily reminder of what Toronto let slip away, but his resurgence has directly helped his team climb in the AL East standings — at the expense of the Jays themselves.

Toronto fans are split. Some are furious with management for the decision. Others are more philosophical, recognizing that sometimes players just bloom late. But there’s no denying that the frustration is real — and growing.

“Every time I see him in that other uniform, I just shake my head,” one Jays fan tweeted after his latest big night. “We could’ve had that bat in our lineup. Instead, we’re watching him punish us.”

For the Blue Jays, the best response is winning. But if their offense continues to sputter and their infield depth remains shaky, the spotlight will keep turning back to— and the decision to let him go.

Meanwhile, he’s not slowing down. If anything, he’s playing with a chip on his shoulder, driven by every doubt and dismissal that came during his Toronto days.