Well, it’s time to declare that the Toronto Blue Jays are officially sellers. It has looked that way for a few weeks and nothing has changed for the team after the all-star break.
The Blue Jays currently have the 12th-best record in the American League, or, better said, the fourth-worst record in the A.L. They are 5.5 games out of the third wild-card spot.
Of the teams within 5.5 games of the wild-card race, the Jays have the worst (-60) run differential. They have truly performed worse than the 11 teams in front of them. Their record and place in the standings are a true reflection of their performance. They have not been good.
Now Jays’ general manager Ross Atkins needs to make some trades. He should try and move every player on an expiring contract on his roster, as well as a few others.
There are not many sellers in this market because 21 teams are still within four or fewer games of a playoff spot. It is a seller’s market. This helps the Jays in a way, because even though some of their trade chips have not performed to their potential this season, they will still be able to help other clubs more than other players who may be available.
Who is on the move?
Atkins will look to trade Kevin Gausman, Shane Bieber and Max Scherzer from the starting rotation, all of whom are on expiring contracts.
Gausman (4-10, 4.51 ERA) will be the most attractive among the three. Although he has struggled significantly over his past 10 starts (0-7, with an ERA over 6.00), he still has more strikeouts than innings pitched. Gausman also has 56.1 innings of postseason experience with a 3.83 ERA and a .177 opponents’ batting average in 14 games, eight of which were starts. I would expect a return of a couple of second-tier prospects in a trade.
Shane Bieber’s last start against the Nationals could really put a damper on the return the Jays can expect. Prior to his 0.2 innings pitched with six walks, he had two excellent starts, allowing one run in 13 innings while walking two and striking out nine batters. Bieber and Jays’ manager John Schneider attributed the lack of control to sweaty hands causing grip issues, but he has not had anywhere near his usual command and control since his return from the injured list.
In his career, Bieber has a walks per nine innings rate of 2.10, while this year it is 5.17 BB/9. This may scare some teams away, but there may be a couple of teams that think he can return to form like he did in his two prior starts. The Jays won’t get much in return but they may get a second-tier prospect and financial relief on the remaining amount of his $16 million salary.
Atkins would love to move Max Scherzer, not for what he could get in return or for financial relief, but rather to do a favour for Scherzer. The future Hall of Famer is in his final chapter and one last playoff run would be a fitting ending. But alas, it seems Father Time has come calling. The Jays won’t be able to find a taker.
Atkins is fielding and making calls on some of his position players who are pending free agents: Daulton Varsho, George Springer and Myles Straw. It’s also possible that Jesus Sanchez gets moved.
Varsho is drawing a lot of interest. There are more than a few teams with a preference for right-handed hitting outfielders, but Varsho’s outstanding defensive ability, coupled with his power potential from the left side, will bring back a second-tier prospect and possibly a third-tier prospect in a trade.
Springer (.234/.317/.403) has not had a great season like he did in 2025, but he has turned it up in July (.288/.354/.525). Springer has loads of experience, especially postseason experience. He has a career postseason .880 OPS with 23 home runs and 21 doubles in 83 postseason games. He would be a great fit on one of the young, inexperienced teams that are in the playoff hunt. He will bring back a return of a second-tier prospect or two third-tier prospects.
Straw is in the final guaranteed year of the contract he signed when he was a Guardian. He has two option years still on the deal, but that won’t limit the Jays in trading him or other teams from considering him in a deal. The Jays won’t get much if they trade him. They would likely only get a fringy prospect. There may be a team looking for a solid defensive outfielder who could be called upon to pinch run or bunt in a situation.
Sanchez has been on the injured list with an ankle sprain since the end of June. He is on a rehab assignment and could be back by the weekend. It seems unlikely that he will draw much interest, considering the injury and the fact that he was traded at the deadline last season from the Marlins to the Astros and struggled (.199/.269/.342). The best fit would be with a team looking for a left-handed-hitting side of an outfield platoon. The best the Jays could expect would be a third-tier prospect in a deal.
One other player that Atkins should consider trading is reliever Jeff Hoffman. He is under contract for the 2027 season with an $11 million salary. He has been excellent the past two months with a 0.75 ERA in June and has a 2.16 ERA in July. Although he has been good recently, the Jays should take the opportunity to clear his money off the books for next season. Hoffman’s World Series struggles lingered into 2026 and he ultimately lost the closer’s role to Louis Varland. It feels like both the Jays and Hoffman would benefit from a fresh start.
Schneider will have to get the team to refocus for the rest of the season after the trade deadline. There will be plenty of new faces, but it will also provide some opportunities for younger players to show what they can do. The Jays will have to take pride in being spoilers when they play the contenders.
Predictions for trade deadline deals
I predict Gausman to the Cubs, Bieber to the Rangers, Springer to the White Sox, Varsho to the Yankees, and Hoffman to Nationals. Sanchez and Straw don’t get traded.
Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal will be a Brewer. In 2008, the Brewers traded for Cleveland ace CC Sabathia and he had a 1.65 ERA down the stretch of the season. They are going to be aggressive again this year as they try to build a roster to beat the Dodgers.
Padres’ closer Mason Miller will get traded to the Yankees. Padres’ general manager A.J. Preller doesn’t want prospects but rather major-league talent. The Yankees have major-league starting pitching and outfield depth that matches nicely with San Diego.
Luis Arraez will be dealt from the San Francisco Giants to the Tampa Bay Rays. Arraez fits the Rays’ offensive approach very well. He is a contact hitter who keeps the line moving. Plus, his defence is remarkably better this year after working with the best infield coach in baseball, Ron Washington.
Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman will be traded to the Yankees. The Yankees need to add offence because of the injuries to Cody Bellinger, Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge. Goodman is a solid defender and a major power bat that will help the Yankees survive until their sluggers return from the injured list.
Angels’ shortstop Zach Neto will be dealt to the Red Sox. Trevor Story is still recovering from a sports hernia and can play second base when he returns. Neto is a 20-homer, 30-stolen-base-player. Red Sox nation will love his energy.
I don’t think Mets’ shortstop Francisco Lindor will be traded. The same goes for Marlins’ ace starter Sandy Alcantara. Mike Trout will remain with the LA Angels and once again won’t be in the playoffs. It seems the Washington Nationals have decided to keep shortstop CJ Abrams as well.
It’s going to be a busy weekend heading to the deadline on Monday at 6 p.m. ET. Buckle up!
