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Five Toronto Blue Jays Who Should Be on the Trading Block Right Now

By Darrell Samuels |
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Dec 9, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks with reporters during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

We are inching closer to the July 31 Major League Baseball trade deadline and managers are investigating which players to ship out and who they can acquire. It is an exciting time! It can be a nervous time as the culture could be shaken for the positives or the wrong side.

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Baseball fans across North America are wondering what pieces their favorite team will add. They are wondering if missing ingredient A will put them over the top or will ingredient B signal the beginning of a long and painful rebuild?

The Toronto Blue Jays have not made the playoffs since the 1993 World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies. They defeated the Phillies in 6 games with outfielder Joe Carter hitting the game winning homerun off of reliever Mitch Williams. That was a long time ago!

The following are players that the Toronto Blue Jays should have under consideration on the trade block. Each player has value. However, you have to give up something others desire in order to get the gem you want. Whatever trade consummated, whether it’s pitching or batters, you have to part with value. Moving any one of these five men could allow the team to move back into the playoffs for the first time since 1993.

Next: Devon Travis

Devon Travis

Jul 6, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Devon Travis (29) turns a double play while Chicago White Sox center fielder Adam Eaton (1) slides into second base during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY SportsS

Devon Travis is a rookie 24 year old and has turned some heads after being acquired last winter, from the Detroit Tigers, for outfielder Anthony Gose. Anthony Gose was once perceived as a prospect that would lead the outfield’s future.

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He was dealt on November 12, 2014. Devon Travis has burst onto the scene and been fantastic for the team. It could be argued that the team has a prized gem, almost equivalent to All-Star Roberto Alomar. This is not to suggest that Travis will be dealt, or should be dealt, but he could be an attractive prospect that another team might desire.

Travis has been injured for portions of the season this year, but when he has been out there on the field he has given 100%. The team is in a tough predicament. They already have Josh Donaldson at third base and Jose Reyes at shortstop. They are proven veterans. They aren’t going to lose playing time to Travis.

Travis won’t be playing first base as they already have an assortment of Edwin Encarnacion, Justin Smoak and Chris Colabello there. When Travis was hurt, Ryan Goins stepped in and filled the role admirably. Travis is a better hitter than Goins and teams will probably offer more for Travis’ bat than Goins’ gloves.

Next: Miguel Castro

Miguel Castro

Mar 31, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Miguel Castro (71) throws a pitch during the seventh inning of a spring training baseball game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Florida Auto Exchange Park. The Blue Jays won 10-6. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Miguel Castro burst onto the Major League scene as a 20 year old fireball throwing pitcher from the Dominican Republic. He has been used, during the early parts of this season, in the closer role for Toronto after the team had difficulty with Brett Cecil in the pressure cooking role.

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Castro came in on April 6 against the New York Yankees and within his first 1 1/3 innings of work, he finished off the game and the Blue Jays went on to win.

The fireballer is also currently in the Blue Jays history books as the youngest player ever to play for the Toronto Blue Jays. His history book record was broken a few days later, by teammate Roberto Osuna. By early May, this year, Castro was sent back to Buffalo to pitch with the Buffalo Bisons in AAA.

There have been discussions that they would turn Castro into a starting pitcher in Buffalo with the hopes and plans of having him be ready for a starting role within the Toronto Blue Jays rotation in 2016. He has not returned to the Blue Jays just yet. However, his youth, pitch speed and promising talent could be used elsewhere for another team wanting to begin a rebuild mode.

Next: Mark Buehrle

Mark Buehrle

Apr 21, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Mark Buehrle (56) delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Buehrle has been the ace of this pitching staff during the 2015 season. He’s won 9 games thus far and is a proven veteran. He has won a World Series title with the Chicago White Sox in 2005. He knows how to get the job done. He also has a ton of recognitions as a top pitcher within the game.

The crafty lefty is a 5 time All-Star, 4 time Gold-Glove winner and pitched a perfect game and a no-hitter while a starting pitcher in Chicago. While Buehrle has not managed to maintain the same level of success in Toronto, he has managed to maintain the streak of 200 innings or more each for a number of seasons.

The team has plans of building their rotation around a young staff. Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez, Daniel Norris and Drew Hutchison are pitchers the team has in mind heading toward the future. You cannot argue that Mark Buehrle has been everything the team has asked of him.

However, there appears to be rumors that he will not be brought back in 2016. Mark Buehrle has had some success in Chicago, Miami and Toronto. He could be a valuable trade chip, for younger arms or if the team falls out of contention for that playoff spot. Reward Mark and send him to a team that has a better shot at a World Series ring.

Next: Jose Bautista

Jose Bautista

Apr 28, 2015; Boston, MA, USA; Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Jose Bautista (19) reacts after hitting a home run during the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Bautista has made quite the impact during his time at Toronto, so before everyone jumps on the attack with the thought that this is a post to say that he is a useless player, guess again.

Everyone knows that he is a 6 time All-Star, 2 time Homerun champion for the American League, 2 time Hank Aaron award winner and 3 time Silver-Slugger award winner. The guy has had a fantastic career! No question. After stops in Baltimore, Tampa, Kansas City and Pittsburgh his career has taken off in Toronto.

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However, Jose Bautista has been at odds in the past with the General Manager over the lack of roster moves made in past trade deadlines to put the team in a better spot to succeed. He wants desperately to play for a contender and, like it or not, his play is on the decline. You cannot slow down age and he has already missed early parts of this season due to injury.

The team parted with a lot of prospects in the 2012 offseason and needs to replenish. Bautista’s salary comes off the books in 2017 and he could definitely be traded for valuable assets. However, he has earned 10-and-5 rights. What that means is that he has at least 10 years of major league experience and half of those 10 years with one organization. He has the rights to veto any trade he would be involved in. A trade involving him, could be difficult to do, but must at least be considered.

Next: Edwin Encarnacion

Edwin Encarnacion

Jun 9, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; The Toronto Blue Jays players celebrate with designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (10) after scoring a run during the ninth inning against the Miami Marlins at Rogers Centre. The Blue Jays won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The same thing applies here, as it does for Jose Bautista. Designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion’s contract comes off the books also in 2017. The 32 year old has also earned 10-and-5 rights. Just like with Bautista, he also has 10 years of big league experience with half of those years with one organization.

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He has the right to veto any trade he would be involved in. His career may have started with the Cincinnati Reds but his career took off when he came to Toronto in 2009. This was a smart trade by former Jays GM J.P. Riccardi. He and Bautista have formed a consistent, dangerous duo within the middle of Toronto’s lineup.

General Manager Alex Anthopoulos should investigate trying to move Encarnacion and propose an idea that might be inviting for him to consider. Then, Justin Smoak and catcher Dioner Navarro could move in and share the designated hitter duties, vacated by Encarnacion (that is of course assuming Navarro remains on the team heading into August).

It would not be easy or simple to move Encarnacion or Bautista, alone or together, but General Manager Alex Anthopoulos has not been afraid to make under the radar type trades that nobody knew he was planning.

Next: Further analysis on why Bautista should be traded

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