Hall of Famer Jeff Kent was a top prospect for the Blue Jays before being part of the David Cone trade in 1992. (Reuters file photo)
TORONTO - What do Pete Vuckovich, Jeff Kent, Steve Karsay, Michael Young and Travis d’Arnaud have in common?
All were Blue Jays prospects of promise shipped elsewhere to help the current varsity.
-- Right-hander Vuckovich, then 24 and pitching in relief, was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals at the end of the Jays’ 1977 season in exchange for reliever Victor Cruz and lefty starter Tom Underwood.
-- Kent, 24, was dealt to the New York Mets — the Jays didn’t feel he could play third base — along with outfielder Ryan Thompson for David Cone. Cone helped the Jays win the World Series in 1992. Kent, a 23rd-round pick, will go into the books as the first Toronto draft to make Cooperstown.
-- Right-hander Karsay, 21, a former first-round pick, was sent to the Oakland A’s, along with Jose Herrera, for Rickey Henderson in 1993. Henderson helped the Jays repeat as World Series champions. Fans were not upset, although at least one Jays scout almost quit over losing Karsay.
