TORONTO — The Toronto Blue Jays didn’t go into the week thinking they had to move Chad Green, but with the way the relief market is developing, it’s a possibility worth considering.
After acquiring Carlos Estevez from the Angels, the Phillies may be out of the running for Green, an apparent favourite of manager Rob Thomson, but many potential suitors are still out there and the market for relievers seems strong.
Given their history with him, the Yankees are of course atop the list of potential suitors for Green, but the Dodgers, Red Sox and Orioles are all experiencing major bullpen issues too, and if the last few days are any indication, teams are willing to give up a lot for quality relievers.
• On Thursday, the Marlins traded A.J. Puk for Deyvison De Los Santos, a 21-year-old who has 29 home runs in the upper minors this year.
• On Friday, the Blue Jays traded Yimi Garcia for Jonatan Clase, a speedy outfield prospect with sneaky raw power.
• On Saturday, the Angels traded Estevez for George Klassen and Samuel Aldegheri, two pitching prospects who ranked among the top 10 in the Phillies organization in Baseball America’s mid-season update.
• And on Sunday, the Rays traded Jason Adam for outfielder Homer Bush Jr., catcher J.D. Gonzalez and pitcher Dylan Lesko, a borderline top 100 prospect who was taken 15th overall in 2022.
Now granted, all of those relievers cost less money than Green, who will earn $10.5 million per season through 2025. And Adam is under team control through 2026, adding to his value. If Green’s trade value isn’t all that high, he can certainly help the Blue Jays in 2025, but a team like the Yankees may value Green’s proven ability to handle the pressure that comes with a playoff race in New York.
Knowing how good the Yankees fit looks on paper, one executive said the Orioles should one-up New York and get Green and Yusei Kikuchi from the Blue Jays. Whether that happens — and whether the Blue Jays are inclined to deal Green at all — remains to be seen. Yet an opportunity may be emerging here.
RUTHLESS RAYS
The sheer ruthlessness of the Rays is something to behold. Despite having a winning record, Tampa Bay has already traded away Randy Arozarena, Isaac Paredes, Zach Eflin and Adam — presumably with more moves to come.
No team in the sport is quite so cold-blooded, but maybe there’s a lesson to be found here. The Rays trade players before most teams would consider doing so, and sometimes it’s better to move a player too early than too late. Otherwise, you can end up accepting fringe prospects like Yohendrick Pinango and Josh Rivera for a once-prized pitcher like Nate Pearson.
While the Blue Jays will never be the Rays, someone said this week that Toronto’s front office has been challenging itself to consider any possibility no matter how unconventional or unpopular it might be. And if there’s ever a time to draw inspiration from the Rays, it’s now — during a lost season where the focus lies entirely on the future.
PADRES EYEING JAYS’ TRADE CHIPS
Among the teams scouting the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre this weekend was the Padres, who have quietly won seven of eight. They’re a fit for Kikuchi, the Blue Jays’ top trade chip, along with role players like Kevin Kiermaier, who's day-to-day with a left hip contusion, or even Trevor Richards.
The Blue Jays definitely aren’t shopping Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — if anything, it might be time to think about an extension — but if anyone would try to pry him away it might be Padres GM A.J. Preller.
More likely, though, smaller deals are under consideration, and it wouldn’t be the first time Ross Atkins has connected with Preller on trades, as B.J. Upton, Yangervis Solarte, Clayton Richard and Socrates Brito all arrived in Toronto via San Diego.
A FULL CHARTER
Knowing that trades are a real possibility, the Blue Jays are bringing a couple of extra players with them for their upcoming series in Baltimore so they can be prepared to backfill if needed.
As manager John Schneider put it after Sunday’s game, “We'll have a couple contingency plans if we need it that will enjoy the Four Seasons (Hotel) in Baltimore or help us out.”
While Kikuchi’s still listed as a probable starter for the Blue Jays, he’s expected to be traded by Tuesday. Bowden Francis, who will start Monday against the Orioles, is a leading candidate to replace Kikuchi in the rotation once the left-hander is gone.
BALANCING THE BOOKS
Of the seven prospects the Blue Jays have gotten back in trades this week, six have been position players. While the front office can be expected to prioritize overall impact over position, it'd be a surprise if they don't find a way to add more pitching ahead of Tuesday's deadline.
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