The Toronto Blue Jays coming in the season were distraught. They didn’t have the star player they hoped to clench, Shohei Ohtani. Despite them offering him $700 million, Ohtani took his bags to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The worst part, the Blue Jays didn’t plan for a backup. And just as one would have imagined, the season was rough for the Blue Jays. They finished with a 74-88 record, the bottom of the division. Ouch! And while they have a strong lineup, Bo Bichette too spent half the season sidelined because of injuries.

However, that’s all said and done. What’s the plan now? The Jays, instead of starting anew, are making a bold move—they have cleared expired contracts and kept most of the current core roster together. They are looking to build the team strategically, and they are aiming high. Yes, they are looking to get Juan Soto! But now news has emerged, and Jim Bowden from The Athletic has said that the front office might have another move up their sleeve, and it involves—Vladimir Guerreo Jr.—the face of the franchise.

Will Toronto Blue Jays trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr.?

First, let’s be clear—Guerrero Jr. is the literal face of the franchise. Their goal for the off-season is to lock him into a long-term extension. Because he is only under contract till 2025. His presence on the team has been stellar, and he has 30 home runs, 98 runs, and 103 RBIs backing him. But what if a contract talk stalls?

Jim Bowden from The Athletic said that if the contract talks don’t move ahead, then the Blue Jays might be exploring the trade offers. “One National League general manager told me he believes they’ll change their mind when they realize they have little chance of extending him; after free-agent first basemen Pete Alonso and Christian Walker sign, this GM thinks the Blue Jays will be enticed by the franchise-changing trade offers they could receive for Guerrero because their farm system needs an infusion of prospects,” claimed Bowden in his article. It would be a huge decision, but Guerrero’s trade value would bring a huge return.

However, with the Toronto Blue Jays currently seeking to bolster their roster, the truth of this statement is currently uncertain. So a trade-off does seem far-fetched. As of now, another trade-off option seems more plausible.

Chris Bassitt’s trade-off talks are heating up!

The Toronto Blue Jays seemingly are at a crossroads. They have had one of the toughest years this season, and in stark contrast to them last year much of the roster is still as is, but there is still hope that things can turn around next season. So with plenty of money saved from the Ohtani mishap, they have it to spend on Juan Soto or Alex Bregman. It shows their desire to complete the team, if not rebuild it.

However, while the Blue Jays are looking to add in new talent, some players could be on their way out. Jim Bowden mentioned that Chris Bassitt, who is signed through the next season, is most likely also a trade candidate. “The Blue Jays are not going to extend Chris Bassitt, who is signed through next season, so they should move the 35-year-old righty now while he still has trade value,” said Bowden. Bassitt’s numbers this season weren’t stellar; in fact, he went 10-14 with a 4.16 ERA. However, one cannot question his durability.

Bassitt has thrown over 170 innings over the last three years, and some teams value such players. Now the Blue Jays star has signed a three-year $63 million contract and is heading to his last year. Trading him now, given the long-term goals of the team, would be smart. What do you think? Let us know.