After reaching the World Sequence final 12 months, the Toronto Blue Jays failed to succeed in the postseason this 12 months. Because of this, the Blue Jays’ entrance workplace might want to bolster the crew if it needs to return to the Fall Basic.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had an terrible 2026 season by his requirements, hitting .260 whereas recording 9 residence runs and 57 RBI. Furthermore, Guerrero performed 144 video games, so the Blue Jays star performed in 88 % of the crew’s video games and wasn’t evaded the sector resulting from harm.
Because of this, the Blue Jays would possibly want so as to add extra pop to their lineup if this can be a pattern and never solely a foul season, given Guerrero’s current feedback that he would later apologize for, that he was being paid his $500 million contract for what he’d performed previously, not what he’d do sooner or later.
So, what participant may fill this want? Adam Steinmetz of the Toronto Blue Jays on SI floated three potential commerce targets, and one in all them was Pittsburgh Pirates‘ Oneil Cruz.
“One hallmark of small-market groups just like the Tampa Bay Rays is that they unload gamers as they grow to be progressively dearer of their arbitration years and get nearer to free company,” Steinmetz wrote in an Oct. 3 article.
“A broad rule of thumb is that gamers will make round 40% of their open market worth within the first 12 months of arbitration, 60% in 12 months 2, and 80% in 12 months 3. These are commerce waters Toronto ought to go fishing in to benefit from its capacity to tackle payroll. One such participant is the Pirates’ Oneil Cruz.”
What May Blue Jays Supply Pirates for Oneil Cruz
Cruz has a .280 batting common with 103 hits, 20 residence runs, 67 RBIs, and 65 runs scored in 97 video games this season, per StatMuse. The 27-year-old enjoying solely 97 video games is a priority, however he performed at the very least 135 video games in back-to-back seasons earlier than this marketing campaign.
Because of this, Cruz’s harm plagued may very well be considered as a one-off somewhat than a rising pattern which may concern a crew. So, what may the Blue Jays provide to the Pirates for Cruz?
“The Pirates would doubtless need prospects in return, significantly place gamers,” Steinmetz added in his article. “A package deal of two of Toronto’s #5 prospect, 18-year-old C Will Brick, #6 prospect SS/3B Juan Sanchez, or #7 prospect Daisan Hill, acquired within the Jeff Hoffman commerce with Minnesota, would possibly get it performed.
“Catcher, shortstop, and third are additionally areas the place the Blue Jays have expertise at both the Main League degree or a stud prospect (Parker at SS).”
Toronto Will Have Cash to Spend This Offseason
If the Blue Jays commerce for Cruz or an analogous participant of his caliber, Toronto would have an offensive core of Guerrero (who ought to bounce again in 2027), Alejandro Kirk, and Kazuma Okamoto. Furthermore, the Blue Jays could have cash to spend this offseason, whether or not in free company or in a commerce, to pay somebody like Cruz long-term.
George Springer’s contract expires this offseason, that means his $25 million-per-year wage is coming off the crew’s books, so Toronto can use that cash to improve its outfield or different key areas it feels want enchancment.
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