Blue Jays address bullpen, outfield in 1st of perhaps many trades ahead of deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired help for their struggling bullpen and also added an outfield bat.

Toronto landed right-hander Adam Cimber and outfielder Corey Dickerson in a trade with the Marlins on Tuesday, sending infielder Joe Panik and minor-league right-hander Andrew McInvale to Miami.

Cimber, 30, is 1-2 with a 2.88 earned-run average in 33 games this season.

Cimber, who throws using a submarine style, doesn't become an unrestricted free agent until 2024.

Miami acquired Cimber in a trade with Cleveland late last year.

Cimber joins a Toronto bullpen that has had issues closing out games.

Four of Toronto's previous six losses have been charged to relievers.

"He's going to be a good addition," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said Tuesday before Toronto began a three-game series against the Mariners in Buffalo. "We have a right-handed lineup, and to add him to the lineup, a left-handed bat like that, it's going to help us a lot."

Montoyo is familiar with Dickerson from their time together in Tampa Bay. Dickerson was an All-Star for the Rays in 2017, when Montoyo was a bench coach.

"He's a gamer," Montoyo said. "He's one of those guys that is always dirty because he plays the game the right way. He plays hard. It's all about getting him healthy now."

Jesus Sanchez had taken over in left field during Dickerson's absence.

Pitcher Travis Bergen DFA'd

"We definitely look at this as a move about today and the future," Marlins general manager Kim Ng said Tuesday before Miami opened a three-game series in Philadelphia.

"We need to look at Jesus Sanchez as a piece of this. We got sped up in the process in terms of bringing Jesus up after the month he had in triple-A. When we saw Jesus and saw how he's handling it up here, we felt more comfortable in trading Corey Dickerson. Jesus being able to take that spot at this point was part of the equation."

To make room on the 40-man roster, left-hander Travis Bergen has been designated for assignment.

Toronto was 40-36 entering Tuesday night's action, 6 1/2 games out of first in the American League East and five games back of a wild-card spot.

Panik is hitting .246 with two homers and 11 RBI this year.

"Joe is a guy who has experience, versatility," Ng said. "We think he'll be a great fit."

McInvale is 2-2 with a 2.55 ERA for double-A New Hampshire this season.

As part of the trade, the Blue Jays will send the Marlins: $2,652,884 US in equal payments of $1,326,442 on Sept. 3 and Oct. 3.

That money will offset some of the salary difference. Dickerson is owed $4,387,097 from an $8.5 million salary, Cimber $447,419 from a $925,000 salary and Panik $954,839 from a $1.85 million salary.

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At the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, the Canadian men's basketball team was coming off the biggest win in its history. But standing in the way of a shot at medals was Team France.