Blue Jays given 35% chance to trade away $110 million All-Star pitcher - Yahoo Sports Canada
Blue Jays consider trade options amid season struggles
The Toronto Blue Jays are navigating a challenging period, with their performance in the regular season placing them in a difficult position for a postseason berth. Currently, the team is several games behind in both the American League Wild Card race and the AL East standings. This situation has led to discussions about the team potentially becoming sellers as the trade deadline approaches on August 3.
Among the players whose future with the team is being considered is pitcher Kevin Gausman. Reports indicate a 35% chance that Gausman could be traded this summer. Gausman is an impending free agent, and the Blue Jays’ current standing, which includes one of the lower records in the American League, makes a potential trade of the right-handed pitcher a possibility.
Gausman has recorded a 4.33 ERA this season, with a 4-8 record. He has accumulated 116 strikeouts over 112.1 innings pitched across 20 starts. While the trade odds are not overwhelmingly high, they could increase if the Blue Jays do not improve their standing in the coming weeks.
Key players potentially available at the deadline
The Blue Jays’ recent series loss against the Chicago White Sox has further intensified discussions about which players might be available for trade. The team entered a recent Monday several games back of the final American League Wild Card spot, with a series against the Tampa Bay Rays scheduled.
Several players are being considered for potential moves at the 2026 trade deadline. Daulton Varsho and Shane Bieber are identified as prominent trade candidates, largely due to their expiring deals and the unlikelihood of them being re-signed. Despite not performing at their usual levels, both players are expected to attract interest from contending teams.
Bieber, in particular, showed strong form in a recent outing against the White Sox, pitching six scoreless innings. Varsho’s defensive reputation and power potential are also noted as factors that could draw interest from other clubs.
Beyond Varsho and Bieber, other players are also on the radar for potential trades, depending on various factors. Gausman and George Springer are mentioned as players who could be traded at the right price. Trading Gausman would require balancing the potential return with the team’s ability to re-sign him if he wishes to continue playing in 2027.
Springer’s situation is similar, though he is considered less likely to be re-signed in free agency this offseason. A move for Springer would likely depend on the return offered, as trading a prominent player for an underwhelming package might not be seen as beneficial unless he explicitly requests a move to a contender.
Additional trade considerations for the Blue Jays
Other players who could be moved if suitable offers arise include Jesús Sánchez, Jeff Hoffman, Max Scherzer, and Patrick Corbin. Sánchez is a potential non-tender candidate this offseason, making him a player the Blue Jays might consider trading to recoup value.
Hoffman’s performance as a reliever makes him a candidate for trade, though any deal would likely involve the Blue Jays covering a portion of his remaining salary. Scherzer and Corbin are also mentioned as players for whom the Blue Jays should accept any offers, given their recent performances and the fact that they are not expected to be with the team next season.
Finally, Tyler Rogers, who signed a three-year contract this past winter, is considered a player who would only be traded if the Blue Jays receive an exceptional offer. Rogers has performed well in his first season under the contract, making him a valuable asset for the team’s bullpen in future competitive seasons. However, if a contending team is willing to overpay and take on most of his contract, a trade could be considered, as relievers are often moved for significant prospect hauls at the deadline.
The trade deadline is set for August 3.
Source: ca.sports.yahoo.com
