It was barely six months in the past the Toronto Blue Jays had been on the cusp of changing into a powerhouse in Main League Baseball amid rumors Shohei Ohtani was signing in Canada.
Issues have drastically modified since then.
For starters, Ohtani made the apparent option to signal the Los Angeles Dodgers, and up in Toronto issues have fallen aside. The Blue Jays (21-26) are final within the American League East — 10.5 video games again of the primary place Yankees and three.5 again of the Wild Card-leading Orioles as of Might 22.
Toronto’s negative-45 run differential is the fifth-worst in MLB behind solely tanking groups just like the Chicago White Sox (-100), Miami Marlins (-83), Colorado Rockies (-74) and Oakland Athletics (-59). Naturally, the commerce rumors have already begun with whispers the Blue Jays is likely to be keen to maneuver their two largest stars, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, to facilitate a fast rebuild.
Per MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand:
“I don’t suppose they’re against it,” [an AL] government mentioned. “They’ve talked to groups about it. The asks had been ridiculous, however I feel they’re going to attempt to retool lots, and utilizing these guys to get items could be the method to do it.”
Each Bichette and Guerrero are slated to develop into free brokers after the 2025 season, so any buying crew would have them for the remainder of this yr and yet another full season.
After all the asking worth is ridiculous now, however perhaps some groups don’t balk at a deal as we get nearer to the All-Star break and commerce deadline. Right here’s a take a look at which could possibly be most probably to swing a deal for Vlad or Bo ranked by hypothetical odds.
Apr 27, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) talks to Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) after reaching base on a throwing error throughout the seventh inning at Rogers Centre. Necessary Credit score: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports activities
Any listing has to start out with the Dodgers for 2 causes:
- They’re no stranger to pulling off blockbuster offers
- They’ve the property to make it occur repeatedly
If Los Angeles is keen to spend to maintain Vlad round, shifting a pair of top-60 prospects like Andy Pages and Dalton Dashing would make loads of sense — to say nothing of the unending provide of elite arms the Dodgers proceed to replenish on.
Aug 4, 2020; Cumberland, Georgia, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) talks with Atlanta Braves middle fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (13) throughout the seventh inning at Truist Park. Necessary Credit score: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports activities
I’m unsure why groups would even proceed buying and selling with the Braves at this level. In spite of everything, that is the membership that simply acquired Chris Sale for Vaughn Grissom. But they’ve loads of items they might nonetheless dangle in entrance of Toronto to get Vlad for a yr and alter.
Constructing a package deal round an unfinished, however highly-touted prospect in AJ Smith-Shawver may get the ball rolling, however once more, any commerce with Atlanta usually finally ends up as a win for the Braves nowadays.
TORONTO, ON – JULY 18: Manny Machado #13 of the San Diego Padres speaks to Vladimir Guerrero Jr. #27 of the Toronto Blue Jays at first base within the ninth inning at Rogers Centre on July 18, 2023 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Picture by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Photographs)
The Padres verify a ton of bins right here.
They love making huge offers, have loads of high prospects to supply and are proper in the course of a championship window. However not lots of these prospects are near Main League-ready. Until the Padres are keen to half with a number of items on their 40-man roster, this one doesn’t really feel too seemingly.
Not now, at the very least.
Jun 4, 2023; New York Metropolis, New York, USA; New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) reacts after a video replay reversal calls out Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) throughout the first inning at Citi Subject. Necessary Credit score: John Jones-USA TODAY Sports activities
It appears fairly clear the Mets are going to retool below the management of David Stearns, and already that’s begun with the Pete Alonso contract negotiations. But it’s additionally value contemplating this quote from an ESPN characteristic in April by Bradford Doolittle:
“There may be at all times going to be this need in New York to focus on the highest of no matter is on the market,” Stearns mentioned. “That’s the highest of free company and the highest of the commerce market, and we’re very lucky that there are going to be instances once we can execute at that stage, the place we are able to go after premium free brokers and execute very aggressive buy-side trades. I additionally perceive that it could actually’t be each single yr. It may possibly’t be each single commerce or each single commerce alternative. We have now to be considerate and strategic about once we’re going to try this.”
Is it considerate and strategic to let Alonso stroll in free company, seize a yr remaining on Vlad’s contract after which determine in the event that they wish to pay him? Probably. When you could have pockets as deep as Steve Cohen’s you’re by no means actually out of the discussions.
The Mets will not be patrons per se this yr, however they might set themselves up properly for large choices subsequent yr by going after Guerrero now.
Might 5, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) reacts after hitting a grand slam towards the Washington Nationals throughout the second inning at Nationals Park. Necessary Credit score: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports activities
The Nationals hardly ever hand out huge contracts to their homegrown stars, so it’s exhausting to see this one occurring. Nevertheless, bringing Vlad Jr. again to the franchise that noticed his father attain stardom could be a tremendous sight.
The Nats have prospects like James Woods, Dylan Crews and Brady Home to get the dialog began. However, once more, that is most likely not going to occur until there are some severe modifications in D.C. first.
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