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TORONTO — One of the top rotation options on the July trade market, J.A. Happ hasn’t exactly been pitching like it recently.

On the heels of allowing seven earned runs in his last start, the 35-year-old’s audition in front of the New York Yankees, one of his rumoured suitors, didn’t go as planned Saturday.

Brett Gardner hit the first pitch out of the park.

Aaron Judge smashed Happ’s fifth offering of the afternoon over the wall, too.

After Happ proceeded to walk the next two batters, you knew it was going to be a long day for the Jays and a short one for the lefty.

Eventually chased in the third inning, Happ’s line was an ugly one, as he allowed six earned runs and walked six — one shy of his career high — looking nothing like the consistent veteran that could be on his way to a spot on the all-star team when they’re officially announced Sunday night.

Happ admitted the fact he’s likely to be on the move between now and the July 31 trade deadline could be in the back of his mind while he’s on the mound.

“Potentially, subconsciously,” Happ said. “I know these last two have not been really me or what I feel like I’m known for and certainly not what I’m capable of.”

If it’s been a distraction, his manager hasn’t seen it, but John Gibbons knows it can happen.

“A big part of this game is just being able to focus on what you’re doing, but a lot of times you get those outside distractions,” Gibbons said. “I think that can be a little disruptive, but if there’s one guy on the team I think can handle it, it’s him and I think he’s shown no signs of that. He’s well aware of what’s going on, whether he stays here or goes somewhere else. I believe there’s a few teams that want him and I can see why.”

Despite looking dominant at times this season, Happ’s ERA now sits at 4.44.

His FIP is only slightly better at 3.96.

Prior to giving up 13 earned runs over his last 8.1 innings, Happ’s ERA was 3.62.

The July hiccup isn’t going to kill Happ’s trade value, but in a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately business, it could make teams think twice about giving up a prime package for a struggling rental.

To be sure, GMs who are calling will point out the fact Happ hasn’t looked like himself lately.

But over the course of his career, Happ has been a second half pitcher.

Prior to the all-star break, his career ERA is 4.24 and rising after Saturday’s debacle, but he holds a 3.58 mark post-all-star break, including a sparkling 2.94 ERA in the second half two seasons ago when the Jays last fancied themselves contenders.

Suitors would be well served to take notice of that, as well as his track record of success within the AL East.

Asked if joining the Yankees, a team now sitting at 57-29 on the season, would be appealing, Happ pleaded the fifth.

“I’m just focused on playing for the Blue Jays right now,” Happ said. “There’s rumours out there and you never know what’s speculation, what’s truth, and what has any realistic chance. I’m just trying to play and pitch and I’m happy right here. We’ll see what happens.”

Happ has been through this before.

He’s actually been traded four times already, including three times during swapping season in July.

There’s little doubt he’s going to be dealt for a fifth time, but Happ is trying to focus on turning his game around, not where he’s going to land.

“You try to flush this one as best you can,” said Happ, who’s slated to take the mound again next week in Boston against another contender that could have interest in him. “It’s going to be a tough couple days in between, but hopefully you bounce back. I don’t think these last two are really indicative of how I’ve pitched the last several years so you try to flip the script as best you can and just move forward.”​