The Toronto Blue Jays have some decisions to make prior to the trade deadline, with some being easier than others. Who should the Jays deal before July 31 in return for potential pieces of the future, and who should the organization hold onto to help propel them into contention at some point?
There is no doubt that 2019 has been a rebuilding year for the Toronto Blue Jays. Not only was that made clear heading into the season with the front office turning their nose up at making any upgrades to the roster through free agency, but even more so as the Jays have been a sight for sore eyes as they’ve stumbled to a 23-39 record this season which has now spanned two months and change.
With no indication that the Blue Jays will become contenders at any point this season, the on-field personnel will look significantly different at the end of the year than it did heading into it as Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins will be engaging in trade talks with other clubs in an attempt to extract value out of players they don’t see as part of the organization’s future.
It is likely the “Shatkins” duo will pawn off any and every impending free agent, but there is an ongoing debate as to whether they’ll ship off players who are hovering around their prime years and could perhaps bring back enough value to make trading them worth it. If you’ve been following the team this year, you know who I’m talking about.
There are numerous Blue Jays who we won’t know what uniform they’ll be wearing come the July 31st trade deadline, but to give you an idea I’ve made a list of Toronto’s top trade candidates, and which ones they should (and shouldn’t trade away). I’ve ranked the team’s top trade candidates from likeliest-to-be-dealt to maybe-they-shouldn’t-be dealt. While I think the Blue Jays should certainly trade some and consider holding onto others, we really won’t know until the deadline passes.