After four straight winning seasons and three playoff appearances, the Toronto Blue Jays might need to waive the white flag.
Canada’s team sits in last place of the American League East with a 35-42 record. The Jays are six games out of a Wild Card spot with a lot of talent on their roster. There are six clubs ahead of them for a playoff spot and while there is still time to turn things around, a rebuild might be in the cards.
Any Sign of Hope?
After Sunday’s loss to the Guardians, the Blue Jays have lost six straight games and were swept in back to back series. They do not have a player with an OPS in the .800s and just one player has double digit homeruns.
Production is not always reflecting of talent and that is the case with this team. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios, and George Springer are all household names that should be a capable core for a winning team.
George Springer is slashing .191/.283/.283/.566 and Kevin Gausman has an ERA over 4. These players are not the sole reason for a struggling team but they are the highest played players for the franchise. Those contracts come with expectations and they have not lived up to them in 2024.
With their struggles, Toronto should look to make some moves at the Trade Deadline. They have talent that contending teams should jump all over and it could next them top prospects. Even some of their lower tiered players could net them a solid return. Regardless of their plans for 2024 and beyond, starting the get some new players in the system could be a good idea.
Bo Bichette
If the Blue Jays are to start selling pieces, the most likely player would be Bo Bichette.
The Toronto shortstop has been rumored to be available and has been linked to the Los Angeles Dodgers quite frequently. Any team adding Bo would get a season and a half of control on his current contract.
Los Angeles recently lost Mookie Betts due to injury and had been using the former Gold Glove outfielder as a shortstop. They could certainly use an upgrade in this spot and it makes sense for these two teams to partner in a deal.
Another spot that could be intriguing for Bichette is Cleveland. The Guardians could use an offensive upgrade at this position and Bo could be that bat. Joining a lineup with Jose Ramirez and Steven Kwan could provide him with protection, while also helping a Guardians club who ranks 19th in hits and 15th in average.
Regardless of the club that trades for him, I think Bo Bichette will be traded by the July 30th deadline. This would give the Blue Jays some young assets moving forward, gives Bichette a fresh start, and hopefully provides value to a team who is looking to win the World Series.
Yusei Kikuchi
A quality left handed starter is an addition almost every playoff team could afford to make at the trade deadline.
Yusei Kikuchi could be that player that teams reach out to Toronto to add in a deal and could potentially have a hot market. The 33-year-old starting pitcher is 4-6 with a 3.65 earned run average in 15 starts this season. He is coming off a season with the Jays’ where he went 11-6 with a 3.86 earned run average.
Kikuchi has always been a solid, yet consistent pitcher. Any team interested in him will know what they should expect on the mound. There have been better pitchers dealt at the Trade Deadline and there certainly have been worse. A team that is interested in him should be willing to deal a decent prospect or two to make the trade happen.
As mentioned, so many teams should be interesting in bolstering their rotation. The Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, or New York Mets are all fits for the crafty left hander. With his contract expiring at year’s end, Toronto ought to find a return before he walks at the end of this season.
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