Blue Jays reportedly expected to trade four players ahead of deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays could possibly be making some wholesale modifications at this month’s commerce deadline.

Bob Nightengale of USA Right this moment Sports activities reported Monday that the Blue Jays are anticipated to commerce 4 gamers forward of the July 30 deadline: pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, catcher Danny Jansen and designated hitter Justin Turner.

Nightengale provides that Toronto will even hearken to gives on pitchers Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman. Nonetheless, the Blue Jays’ two most intriguing commerce targets, shortstop Bo Bichette and first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr, are reportedly “extremely unlikely” to be traded. That could be a slight shift from what we had heard in recent days about the Bichette-Guerrero tandem.

As for the Blue Jays’ 4 anticipated commerce candidates, Kikuchi might be probably the most interesting identify. He’s a former MLB All-Star who’s posting a stellar 10.1 strikeouts per 9 innings this yr (albeit on a 4.54 ERA). Kiermaier (a four-time Gold Glover), Jansen (an honest energy bat on the catcher spot), and Turner (a two-time All-Star however one who’s slowing down a little bit at 39-years-old) carry some intrigue as nicely. All 4 gamers shall be free brokers after the season, too, which probably explains Toronto’s stance.

The Blue Jays are 45-54 this yr, which has them on the very backside of a ridiculously stacked AL East division. Consequently, they could take a vendor’s mindset into the commerce deadline (though there is another consideration in play for them here).