ST. PETERSBURG, FL - SEPTEMBER 7 : Anthony Kay #70 of the Toronto Blue Jays delivers a pitch in his Major League debut during the bottom of the second inning of their game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field on September 7, 2019 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Joseph Garnett Jr. /Getty Images)

The Toronto Blue Jays brain trust was criticized harshly by many baseball experts for the return they received back from the New York Mets in exchange for Marcus Stroman, however, they may have done just fine after all.

Ross Atkins and company may just know what they are talking following Anthony Kay‘s promising MLB debut last night and the progress Simeon Woods Richardson made at the Blue Jays minor league ranks.

Kay made a number of quality starts for Triple-A Buffalo leading to the September promotion onto the big club. The 24-year old appeared unfazed in his debut versus the Tampa Bay Rays surrendering just two runs over 5.2 innings while fanning eight batters.

The hurler gave up four hits although none of them were of well-hit balls in terms of exit velocity proportions. Kay did walk three batters which has been somewhat of an Achilles Heel for him in the minors as well, he sports a 3.7 BB/9 rate throughout his minor league career.

All in all, Anthony Kay has put himself very much on the radar and is definitely in line to compete for a spot in the major league rotation heading into spring training.

Simeon Woods Richardson mader six starts for Dunedin following the Stroman trade going 3-2 with a 2.54 earned run average while striking out 29 in 28.1 innings of work. The 18-year old vastly improved on his 4.25 earned run average he had with Columbia leading up to the trade.

In 106.2 innings of combined work between Columbia and Dunedin, Woods Richardson struck out 126 hitters and sported a respectable 3.80 earned run average in 26 starts. The youngster has a live arm and may project to be even better than Kay longterm.

In case your wondering, Stroman has made seven starts with the Mets and owns an inflated 5. 05 earned run average allowing 20 earned run along with seven homers in just 35.2 innings pitched.

So maybe, just maybe the Blue Jays didn’t get as hosed as many initially thought.