The Toronto Blue Jays have shown a willingness to trade this season. And according to a report, more big names may soon be moved, as well.
Speaking on the MLB Network, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic noted that with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. called up and Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio lingering in the minors, Toronto is looking to get younger.
To that end, veterans like Marcus Stroman, Aaron Sanchez and Justin Smoak are all potential trade candidates.
“It’s going to be really interesting to watch the Jays over the next few months because what I believe they’re going to do – what I’m told they’re going to do – is try to trade [Marcus] Stroman, [Aaron] Sanchez, [Justin] Smoak and others to get more young talent in Vladdy’s age range and service class and then build up that way,” Rosenthal said, H/T Mike Johnston, Sportsnet.ca.
Unless Toronto remains in contention, Smoak is a fairly obvious candidate. He’s hitting .273/.390/.477 with five home runs on the season. As a pending free agent, he’d be a rental. But he could add real thump to any lineup looking to add power from either first base or DH.
Stroman and Sanchez are slightly different. Stroman is 27, Sanchez is 26, and each have one year of arbitration remaining before free agency. Both generally struggled in 2018. But this season, Stroman has a 1.43 ERA, 1.088 WHIP, and an 8.6 K/9 rate. Sanchez, meanwhile, has a 2.32 ERA, 1.323 WHIP, and a 7.8 K/9.
Given their ages contract status, both would figure to attract a decent trade haul to Toronto.