The Toronto Blue Jays have been active this offseason, and now the team may have to trade away from their roster.
Toronto has a surplus of outfielders, including Nathan Lukes, Myles Straw, Joey Loperfido, and Davis Schneider. Although Schneider can play the infield. Those four are competing for a backup outfield spot or two, meaning some could be traded.
Ultimately, Blue Jays insider Keegan Matheson of MLB.com believes Toronto will get plenty of calls for one of the outfielders.
“The Blue Jays have a crowded outfield depth picture here beyond Daulton Varsho, especially when we consider that Barger will play plenty of right field and Anthony Santander will need a spot somewhere,” Matheson wrote. “Something’s got to give, so this becomes a matter of fit, not just best talent. Think of it like building a postseason roster. Schneider hit in the top two spots in the order four times in the World Series. Which speaks to how valuable he can be to this roster when the Blue Jays face left-handed pitching.
“This organization has stuck with Schneider for good reason. And he’ll be given every opportunity to take another step. Lukes is fresh off a career season with a .730 OPS, a rock-solid big leaguer in every way. Straw brings the element of defense, base running and a valuable clubhouse presence, while Loperfido offers perhaps the most upside of the group, even if he wasn’t given as many opportunities to show it last season. This is a crowded table right now. When teams are looking for outfield depth, the Blue Jays’ phone will be ringing.”
If the Blue Jays do trade an outfielder, it does seem likely Toronto would part ways with Lukes or Loperfido.
What Would Blue Jays Get in Return?
If the Blue Jays opt to trade one of the outfielders, Toronto could very well get a prospect or an MLB player back in return.
Toronto doesn’t have to move an outfielder, as they could keep them for depth. But a baseball trade could make sense where the Blue Jays trade one of them for a reliever to help bolster the bullpen.
MLB teams can’t get enough relievers, especially if the Blue Jays can get a pitcher with options in return.
Regardless, Toronto could very well make an intriguing trade during or at the end of spring training, depending on how the four outfielders play.
Toronto Roster Likely Set
The Blue Jays were one of the most aggressive teams this offseason, and that likely rules out the team from making more moves.
Toronto’s roster is seemingly set, and general manager Ross Atkins said any further moves would mean the Blue Jays would have to subtract from their roster.
“We’ll always be open to making our organization better if there’s a way to do that. We feel good about our team,” Atkins said. “One thing that I would add is that additions at this point would start to cut away from playing time for players who we feel are very good Major League pieces. So we have to factor that in.”
Toronto enters the season with the fourth-best odds of winning the World Series at +1400.
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