Blue Jays GM addresses trade rumors surrounding 2 star players

Aug 14, 2022; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Blue Jays logo during batting practice against the Cleveland Guardians at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to struggle, some whispers have begun to circulate that they could entertain trade offers for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette. On Sunday, GM Ross Atkins addressed those rumors quite firmly.

Atkins said on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio that the Blue Jays have absolutely no interest in trading either of their standout players. On the contrary, the organization is working to sign them to long-term contract extensions.

"We believe in them, we believe in their futures and hope there's a way they can play here for a long time."

Ross Atkins addresses the reports that Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could be traded:@BlueJays | #BlueJays | #TOTHECORE

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“We have dialogue with them and that is something that will continue. We believe in them. We believe in their futures and hope that there’s a way they can play here for a long time,” Atkins said. “(A trade) just doesn’t make any sense for us. There will be occasional times, as you’re talking to other executives, that they’ll ask if we’ll consider, and we just say it’s not something that we have spent any time on. Because they’re so talented and such great teammates, they are attractive to other teams, so they will call. I was disappointed to see a report that that was something that another executive had commented on about our team, but it just doesn’t make sense.”

Bichette and Guerrero each have one more year of team control and can become free agents after the 2025 season. Bichette, at least, was linked to trades in the offseason, while Guerrero has left the door open to potentially testing the market.

The Blue Jays entered play Sunday at 27-30, so some changes might have to be made if things do not turn around. That could involve some other veterans potentially being moved.