This has been a disappointing season for the Toronto Blue Jays as they currently sit in last place in the powerhouse AL East, 16 games back of first and eight games out of the first wild card spot. So in a year when they expected to go on a playoff run, the Blue Jays now seem like certain sellers at the July 30 trade deadline, the only question is how far they will go. They could be conservative and deal some of their expiring contracts or they could go all the way and trade stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr and Bo Bichette who still have a year left on their deals. The latter seems like the best option but either way, there are plenty of Jays trade candidates that teams all over the league will try to acquire.
Who Could The Jays Trade and Where Will They Go?
Pending Free Agents
Danny Jansen, C
When healthy Danny Jansen has been one of the best offensive catchers in the game, ranking sixth in wRC+ among backstops with 400 plate appearances since the start of 2022. As he plays in his age-29 season he remains a very solid defensive catcher as well, leading all of MLB in blocks above average so far in 2024 despite missing time with injuries. While it’s tougher to move catchers mid-season, Jansen represents a very valuable asset to any competitive team looking to add a veteran catcher who can call a good game and drive in some runs in the process.
Potential Fits: Minnesota Twins, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees
Yusei Kikuchi, SP
Yusei Kikuchi had a resurgent year for the Jays in 2023, becoming a very solid middle-of-the-rotation arm that gave them a chance to win every time he took the mound. While his 2024 performance hasn’t been quite as good he still has a 4.12 ERA through 18 starts and 94 innings. Kikuchi is a consistently solid starting pitcher with a strong arsenal who won’t lead a team but will be an important supporting piece in any deep playoff run. Any World Series contender looking to add rotation depth (which is usually all of them) and veteran leadership will see what it takes to get the 33-year-old lefty out of Toronto.
Potential Fits: Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets
Justin Turner, DH
Justin Turner is the oldest position player in baseball and is playing in his age-39 season. Once a great third baseman he now spends the majority of his time as a DH but the bat is still there. He’s put up a 115 wRC+ across 240 plate appearances and while his age is starting to show in 2024, he still offers some value for contending teams down the stretch. As he’s aged he’s made up for his weaker contact by working more walks and he remains a tough out in every at-bat. Teams looking for an offensive spark or leadership from the former World Series champion who has the third most postseason plate appearances among active players.
Potential Fits: Padres, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners
Trevor Richards/Yimi Garcia, RPs
While the Jays have arguably the worst bullpen in baseball in 2024, Trevor Richards and Yimi Garcia are not at fault. With the injury to closer Jordan Romano Garcia became the closer for much of the season while Richards was given more high-leverage innings on a regular basis. Richards and Garcia have performed in their new roles, sporting ERAs of 2.54 and 2.57 so far this season. Garcia has become a very effective one-inning reliever and Richards has shown the ability to act as more of a long man, both would be valued assets for any competitive team as bullpen depth is generally the most sought-after commodity on the trade market.
Potential Fits: Mets, Padres, Mariners, Yankees
Free Agents After The 2025 Season
Jordan Romano, RP
As for the injured closer, Romano has been one of the best and most consistent relievers in all of baseball, making the all-star team in each of the last two seasons. While he struggled early before landing on the IL with a shoulder injury the extra year of control gives him plenty of additional value to teams looking to improve the back end of their pen. He won’t get the same return he would have at the start of the season, but dealing him is still worthwhile for the Jays, as well as any contender seeking another potential relief ace.
Potential Fits: Mets, Mariners, Rangers
Chris Bassitt, SP
Chris Bassitt has been one of the most reliable starting pitchers in MLB for years. He works deep into games, stays healthy, and gives his team a chance to win every time out. In a market that’s always starved of starting pitching it doesn’t get more reliable than Bassitt. He’s posted an ERA under 4.00 in every full season he’s played, finishing top ten in Cy Young voting in three of the last four years. Considering the team that acquires him will have him for two playoff runs he would bring back as much as anyone the Jays could move except Guerrero and Bichette.
Potential Fits: Twins, Mets, Houston Astros
Isiah Kiner Falefa, INF
This has been a breakout season for the utility infielder who has already accumulated a career-high WAR despite playing in just 83 games this season. His wRC+ of 117 is 26 points higher than his previous career high while he’s still playing plus defense across three infield positions. As a depth piece Isiah Kiner Falefa is extremely valuable, he produces well for a bottom-of-the-order bat and gives his team good to great defense at every infield position except first base. Any team needing depth either offensively or defensively would find immense value in the 29-year-old infielder.
Potential Fits: Yankees, LA Dodgers, Boston Red Sox
Bo Bichette, SS
It wasn’t long ago that the idea of trading star 26-year-old shortstop Bo Bichette was unthinkable but with where the Jays stand at this point in the season it is now certainly in the team’s best interest. Bichette, whose defense has improved but is still suspect, has been one of the most consistent hitters in baseball throughout his career, posting a wRC+ over 120 every year since he debuted in 2019. Star shortstops are leaders on most great teams, a cornerstone bat at the diamond’s most difficult position is one of the most valuable things a team can acquire, especially someone young and controllable like Bichette.
Potential Fits: Dodgers, Red Sox, Atlanta Braves
Vladimir Guerrero Jr, 1B
Vlad is back in 2024, after a down year led to questions about Guerrero’s reliability as an impact bat he has really turned it around en route to earning the starting spot at first base at this year’s all-star game. He has already surpassed his 2023 WAR total and is putting up his best offensive season since he finished second in MVP voting in 2021. He is a star at just 25 years old with the potential to be one of the best hitters in baseball and the ability to carry an offense into the postseason. If he is made available he immediately becomes one of the best trade candidates in years and would bring in a massive prospect haul from any team looking to slug their way to a championship.
Potential Fits: Astros, Brewers, Yankees
The 2024 season has been a mess for the Blue Jays, who are way out of contention and at this point have no choice but to be sellers at the deadline. How far they’ll go however remains to be seen as they may limit the sale to pending free agents and try to return to contention next year. If they decide to blow it up now though they become the foremost seller on the market and the team to watch for any contender looking to add an impact or depth piece. While they likely won’t play October baseball, the Jays certainly have the blockbuster potential to make an impact at the deadline and in the pennant chase.
Main Image: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
