Blue Jays poised to be major trade deadline sellers?
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
The Toronto Blue Jays may be gearing up to give up on their season as they continue to tread water around the .500 mark.
Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet reported Thursday that the Blue Jays are highly likely to move at least some pieces if they do not significantly improve their play by the July 30 deadline. Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, reliever Yimi Garcia, and catcher Danny Jansen are viewed as among several veterans that could be traded.
The likes of Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr., however, are likely to stay put unless the Blue Jays are blown away.
if the Blue Jays are still four games under at the deadline, I'd expect Kikuchi and Garcia to be traded. Jansen could go. And perhaps Chad Green, Turner, KK. Players with more control would be harder to obtain, especially Bo & Vlad who both very likely stay in Toronto https://t.co/y2SxrcntF4
— Ben Nicholson-Smith (@bnicholsonsmith) June 20, 2024
This would be a highly disappointing turn of events for Toronto, as this was a playoff team last year. They enter play Thursday at 35-39, good for last place in the highly-competitive AL East. They are 5.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot as things stand.
The Blue Jays are still viewed as potential long-term buyers, but the reality is their 2024 season appears to be going nowhere. Major changes are increasingly likely.
