The Blue Jays have traded starter Marcus Stroman to the New York Mets.

Shortly after the Jays’ 10-9 loss to the Rays at the Rogers Centre, word spread that the ace right-hander, who has posted a 2.96 ERA through 21 starts this season, was bound for the Big Apple. A formal announcement was awaiting final MLB approval.

“Toronto ... I love you forever. Will be back plenty in the future. Putting together a proper goodbye tribute. Love you all more than you know!” Stroman posted Sunday evening on Instagram.

The Jays, who have been on the hunt for younger arms, will get a pair of the Mets’ top pitching prospects in return, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic.

Left-hander Anthony Kay, 24, has split the season between Double-A and Triple A. The 2016 first-round pick, the Mets’ No. 4 prospect overall, posted a 1.49 ERA over 12 starts with the Binghamton Rumble Ponies in Double-A this year and earned a promotion to the Triple-A Durham Bulls, where he has struggled in seven starts with a 6.61 ERA. He is expected to crack the big leagues in 2020.

Right-hander Simeon Woods-Richardson, 18, has posted a 4.25 ERA in his first full season in the minor leagues with Class-A Columbus Fireflies after was selected 48th overall by the Mets in the 2018 draft. He was rated the Mets’ No. 3 pitching prospect and No. 6 prospect overall.

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It was the second trade of the day for the Jays, who sent utility infielder Eric Sogard across the diamond to the Rays during the game in exchange for two players to be named later.

The Jays drafted Stroman, 28, in the first round in 2009. Toronto’s longest tenured player has posted a 3.76 ERA over six seasons. He was considered one of the top starting pitchers available on the market with the July 31 trade deadline approaching, in part because he doesn’t become a free agent until after next season.

Right-hander Sean Reid-Foley will replace Stroman for his next scheduled start on Tuesday against the Kansas City Royals. Reid-Foley was removed from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons’ game against the Durham Bulls on Sunday after just one inning. Top second base prospect Bo Bichette was also pulled from that game in the third inning and is reportedly bound for the Jays with Sogard gone.

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