MLB Trade Rumors: Jays Won’t Give Up Season Before ASG Amid Vlad Jr., Bichette Buzz

Mike Chiari@@mikechiariFeatured Columnist IVJune 4, 2024

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The Toronto Blue Jays reportedly aren’t expected to become sellers until the All-Star break at the earliest amid their early-season struggles.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the Jays will not “signal their intentions” regarding what they plan to do leading up to the July 30 trade deadline until the All-Star break reaches its conclusion on July 18.

Given that the Blue Jays are in last place in the American League East at 28-31, and the fact that both first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette can become free agents following the 2025 season, there has naturally been a great deal of speculation about them being trade candidates.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins shot down any talk of a potential Guerrero or Bichette trade this week, saying moving one or both of their star players “just doesn’t make any sense for us,” per MLB.com’s Keegan Matheson.

Guerrero, 25, is the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, and he is already a three-time All-Star, one-time Silver Slugger Award winner and one-time Gold Glove Award winner over six MLB seasons.

In 2021, Guerrero enjoyed the best season of his career, tying for the Major League lead with 48 home runs and setting career bests in several other categories as well, including RBI (111), runs scored (123), batting average (.311) and on-base percentage (.401) en route to a second-place finish in American League MVP voting.

Although he was an All-Star in both 2022 and 2023 as well, his numbers steadily declined. Last season, the slugger hit .264 with 26 homers and 94 RBI.

So far this season, Guerrero has experienced a power outage with just six home runs and 27 RBI to go along with a .295 batting average in 59 games.

Bichette, who is one year older than Guerrero at 26, is a two-time All-Star who has hit .290 or better in each of his five MLB seasons and hit 20 or more home runs in each of the past three seasons.

He is off to a miserable start in 2024, though, slashing .236/.284/.345 with four homers and 25 RBI.

Despite his poor performance, Bichette would likely fetch the Jays a ton on the trade market due to his track record of success, as would Guerrero.

While Guerrero and Bichette would undoubtedly be the most highly sought-after trade chips from Toronto, Passan noted that the Blue Jays could still make an impact as sellers at the deadline even without moving either of them.

Catcher Danny Jansen, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, designated hitter Justin Turner and utility man Isiah Kiner-Falefa are just a few of the players who could provide value to a contender down the stretch.

Toronto’s season is far from over, but since it is 13 games out of the AL East lead and five games out of the final AL wild card spot, the Jays have a significant uphill climb ahead of them.