The next big date for Major League Baseball is July 30, the trade deadline.
This means teams will be buying, selling, and maybe even holding onto players. We’ll see lots of trades and rumors as we get closer to that day.
Today, we’re looking at the Toronto Blue Jays and what they might do before the deadline.
What They Need
The Blue Jays need to improve. They were expected to do well in 2024 but are now in last place in their division. They could lose around 90 games this season and are far from making the playoffs. This poor performance might cost manager John Schneider his job and lead to changes in the front office. But first, there’s the trade deadline.
Because they aren’t contending this year, the Jays will likely sell some players to get young talent back. Their farm system lacks top prospects right now , so they might look for high-risk, high-reward players. However, they probably won’t go for a full rebuild but rather a pivot strategy.
What They Can Give Up
General manager Ross Atkins has hinted that stars like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette won’t be traded. Instead, they’ll focus on trading players who are in their final contract year. These “walk-year” players usually don’t bring big returns because teams only get them for a short time plus playoffs if they make it.
The Jays might trade left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi, DH/1B Justin Turner, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, catcher Danny Jansen, and relievers Yimi GarcÃa and Trevor Richards before July 30. Maybe they’ll include other players under contract for 2025 who aren’t part of their core team.
Possible Trade Partners
Kikuchi has been good this season with a 3.60 FIP over 21 starts and 125 strikeouts in 111 innings. He’s owed about $10 million more this season—affordable for many teams needing rotation help. The Guardians, Padres, Twins or even Red Sox could be interested.
Jansen is another player who could be moved despite his slightly lower offensive numbers this year compared to his career averages. He still offers power at the plate with an average of 25 home runs per every full season played (162 games). Teams generally hesitate to add catchers midseason due to familiarity issues with pitching staff but desperate times call for desperate measures!
The Cubs need better catchers; theirs have hit just .182/.232/.277 this season—terrible numbers! Adding Jansen would fix that problem directly Fans think he’d fit perfectly if Chicago decides to buy modestly at the deadline since they’re still chasing an NL wild-card spot or even NL Central title!
Turner won’t fetch much as he’s mostly just a platoon hitter now while Kiermaier struggles with salary concerns too (and wasn’t claimed off waivers). But bullpen help is always needed: GarcÃa & Richards should find new homes easily—the Royals & Orioles particularly need relief pitchers badly!
Your Thoughts?
This deadline won’t shake things up massively for Toronto since they plan on keeping young stars but unloading free agents & possibly shedding salaries will keep Atkins busy! What do you think? Will these moves help them long-term?
