Ex-Blue Jay, who helped Toronto win its first World Series, is headed to Cooperstown

"He is not the first second baseman that Toronto Blue Jays fans think of when they think of the World Series years. That distinction goes to Roberto Alomar, a Hall of Fame player who spent five years in Toronto, with two of those culminating in World Series championships in 1992 and '93. However, Jeff Kent, who was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Contemporary Era committee on Sunday night, was, in a roundabout way, responsible for bringing Toronto their first World Series title."

"Cone was a workhorse and significantly bolstered the Blue Jays rotation. In the four seasons prior to the trade, Cone had averaged 223 innings pitched and 219 strikeouts with a 3.06 ERA. It proved to be a costly, but necessary move as Cone started two of the games the Blue Jays won against the Atlanta Braves, en route to that World Series title. But in doing so they gave up a guy who put up Hall of Fame credentials throughout the rest of his career."

Jeff Kent was a 20th-round draft pick by Toronto in 1989 and emerged as a top prospect, debuting in 1992 with a 1.3 bWAR in 65 games. The Blue Jays, having already acquired Roberto Alomar at second base, viewed Kent as a valuable trade chip. In August 1992 the Blue Jays traded Kent and a player to be named later (Ryan Thompson) to the New York Mets for left-hander David Cone. Cone averaged 223 innings and 219 strikeouts with a 3.06 ERA in the four seasons before the trade and started two victories against the Atlanta Braves en route to the World Series title. Kent went on to compile Hall of Fame credentials and was elected by the Contemporary Era committee.

Read at Jays Journal