It seems like each time there’s a top free agent, the Toronto Blue Jays finish just short of acquiring them. This has happened with Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, and now Roki Sasaki.
The Blue Jays have tried to add talent, but they’ve come up short, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see them change their course.
We could see the Blue Jays turn from attempting to sign the top free agents to trading away their star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the same offseason.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently pitched a trade idea that would send Guerrero to the San Diego Padres in exchange for three players.
Here’s the deal pitched by Rymer which would send Guerrero to San Diego:
- San Diego Padres receive: 1B/3B Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
- Toronto Blue Jays receive: 2B/1B Jake Cronenworth, LHP Yuki Matsui, SS Leodalis De Vries (Padres No. 1 prospect)
“This deal would be costly for Toronto. Whereas they’re only on the hook to pay Guerrero $28.5 million, Cronenworth and Matsui would come with $90.5 million still owed to them,” Rymer wrote. “It is nonetheless worth noting that Cronenworth was on Toronto’s radar last winter. He could instantly take Guerrero’s place at first base and, at the least, bring balance to a lineup that leans right-handed.
“Yet the real prize here, of course, would be De Vries. Though he’s just 18 with one minor league season under his belt, he’s a switch-hitter who projects as a five-tool shortstop. He’d be a crown jewel that the Blue Jays presently lack in their farm system.”
While this would be quite the risk for the Padres, they need to do something to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West.
Adding Guerrero would be a huge addition, especially if San Diego can realistically compete to re-sign him next winter. It’s a steep hill to climb given how much money the Padres have tied up in their stars, but it would be worth it.
Last winter, the Padres traded away an expiring Soto. This offseason, they could look to be on the other end of the deal and acquire an expiring Guerrero.
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