Toronto Blue Jays: Three trade fits for Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
If the Toronto Blue Jays decided to trade Lourdes Gurriel Jr. where could he go? Here are three trade fits for the young hitter.
With the GM Meetings kicking off this week, we are officially in hot stove season. The free agent and trade rumors are going to start to flow. One of the more surprising names to potentially be available for trade is that of Toronto Blue Jays super-utility player Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Here’s an interesting one: Heard from multiple people lately #BlueJays could be open to moving Lourdes Gurriel Jr. this winter, especially if it brings the right rotation arm back.
— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) November 11, 2019
Signed through 2023 and heading into his age-26 season, the contract is nice and so is the bat.
I have to say, I didn’t expect to see Gurriel’s name pop up in trade rumors but here we are. The Toronto Blue Jays are flush with young bats all over the diamond, however, they could use more help in the pitching department. They already acquired Chase Anderson earlier in the month, but they shouldn’t be stopping there to improve a young rotation.
In 84 games, Gurriel put up a .277 average with a .869 OPS. He was blistering hot in the first half, hitting .303 with a .981 OPS. Injuries played a role in the second half, and Gurriel slumped to a .235 average over his final 31 games. The Toronto Blue Jays and the team potentially acquiring him have to determine which version they are getting.
Teams are going to look for cost-controlled bats, and Gurriel certainly qualifies as that. Add that positional flexibility and he’s going to be very attractive to many teams. What teams can give the Toronto Blue Jays what they want back? Let’s take a look at three possible trade partners for the Toronto Blue Jays and what kind of deal they could get back
Gurriel to the San Diego Padres for Cal Quantrill and David Bednar
Ohhh this would be a fun one. For The San Diego Padres, Gurriel can be the long term answer at either second base or be a part of the outfield mix. They could then use Luis Urias and their other prospect capital to help land a starting pitcher. They could also keep Urias and have Gurriel as a part of the mix at multiple positions.
A middle of the order of Gurriel, Manny Machado and Eric Hosmer, along with the other bats they have, like Wil Myers and it could help improve their offense. It also opens up another 40 man roster spot for a team that has a roster crunch.
For the Toronto Blue Jays, this will help in two areas. In Quantrill, the prodigal son returns to Canada. His father was a relief pitcher for the team back in the 1990s. Quantrill can step right in and man one of the spots in the starting rotation. Quantrill offers years of team control as well.
In Bednar, the Toronto Blue Jays get another bullpen piece who could help their depth. Bednar had a cup of coffee in San Diego after striking out 86 batters in 59 innings in AA with a 2.95 ERA and 14 saves.
Gurriel to the Atlanta Braves for Bryse Wilson
If there is one thing the Atlanta Braves have, its young starting pitching. That is exactly what the Toronto Blue Jays would look for in a package back for Gurriel. Wilson is the Braves’ sixth overall, and third pitching prospect according to MLB.com.
Wilson has gotten a cup of coffee with the Braves over the past couple of seasons but hasn’t had that consistent time at the major league level. He certainly could have that with the Toronto Blue Jays as they look to bulk up their starting rotation. Wilson could join the other prospects the Toronto Blue Jays to form an interesting young rotation.
For the Atlanta Braves, Gurriel would give them insurance at multiple positions. Should Josh Donaldson come back, Gurriel can be an option in left along with Austin Riley. If Donaldson leaves, the club could move prospect Riley to third with Gurriel in left.
Maybe Gurriel becomes a part of the mix at third, as he’s played second and short. A core of Gurriel, Ozzie Albies, Ronald Acuna Jr.and Freddie Freeman can help the Braves continue to be at the top of the division.
Gurriel to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Tony Gonsolin
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The Los Angeles Dodgers love bats with positional versatility. The fact that Gurriel has this may help pry away one of their better pitching prospects for the Toronto Blue Jays. For the Dodgers, Gurriel gives them another option at multiple positions as they mull over what to potentially do with players like Corey Seager and Justin Turner. The Dodgers have plenty of rotation options and could dive into the robust free-agent starting pitching pool to help add to their depth.
For the Toronto Blue Jays, Gonsolin can slide right into their rotation next season. The Jays won’t switch him between the bullpen and the rotation, or, between the majors and the minors. they can leave him in the rotation all season long and let him develop.
The Toronto Blue Jays have assembled a great core of young position players. What they don’t quite have yet is the pitching to match. They could choose to go into the free-agent market and outbid other clubs to move arms to Canada. They could also use that position player depth, like Gurriel to add to their pitching staff.
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These three deals are examples of the return that the Toronto Blue Jays would want for Gurriel? Are they perfect? No. Could they happen? Maybe. That’s what the hot stove season is about. Rumors and random trades no one saw coming. Maybe a Gurriel deal will be an example of that. Welcome to Hot Stove season.