Toronto Blue Jays

Amid all of the buzz about their AL East rivals pursuing Juan Soto, the Toronto Blue Jays are serious about their desire to add the superstar outfielder to their roster in free agency.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Blue Jays' pursuit of Soto "is not a fantasy" and they could get him to sign if they "offer the right amount of money" in a contract.

The focus on Soto is built around MLB's marquee franchises, specifically the New York Yankees and New York Mets. Other clubs like the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies are also expected to be in the mix to some degree.

Toronto has put its hat in the ring by already having a meeting with Soto. Jon Heyman of the New York Post noted the Blue Jays made an "impressive" presentation to Soto's camp.

There is some evidence that Blue Jays ownership is willing to make a reasonable push to sign a superstar player. They were in the mix for Shohei Ohtani last offseason before he signed with the Dodgers.

Passan and Alden Gonzalez reported shortly after Ohtani made his decision in December 2023 the Blue Jays were one of three teams that agreed to the 10-year, $700 million deal with $680 million deferred contract structure that he was seeking.

The others were the Dodgers and San Francisco Giants, with Los Angeles winning out.

Soto made it clear after the 2024 season ended that he is "open" to hearing from all 30 teams and doesn't "have any doors closed" as he engages in the free-agent process for the first time.

ESPN's Kiley McDaniel projected Soto will ultimately sign for 13 years and $611 million. That type of deal would obliterate the richest contract in Blue Jays history. The honor currently belongs to George Springer's six-year, $150 million deal as a free agent in January 2021.

The Blue Jays need to make bold, aggressive moves this offseason if they hope to contend in the AL East in 2025. They finished last in the division with a 74-88 record in 2024. It was their first losing season since going 67-95 in 2019.

After trade buzz around the deadline, the Toronto Blue Jays will renew contract talks with star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this winter, per the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

Heyman noted that Toronto is more likely to secure Guerrero to a long-term deal than his teammate Bo Bichette.

"The Blue Jays are again expected to try to lock up superstar first baseman/third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. this winter, and though they have a better shot with Guerrero than co-star Bo Bichette, they will need to step up efforts to keep Guerrero, who's in great shape and back to near MVP level," Heyman wrote.

Heyman compared Guerrero's potential deal this offseason to Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers' 10-year, $313.5 million deal he signed last summer. Devers had 33 home runs, 100 RBI and a .271 batting average in 2023 when he was awarded the lucrative deal.

Guerrero has had an outstanding sixth season, collecting 28 homers, 92 RBI and .328 batting through 138 games. He's put up the best batting average of his career this year and will likely finish with the second-most home runs, only behind the 2021 season when he had 48.

After a big year, the Blue Jays will likely need to have a big offer prepared for Guerrero to keep him from departing in free agency after the 2025 season.

As Heyman noted, Bichette could be harder to retain when he becomes a free agent in 2025, and the Blue Jays are reportedly preparing to feel out the trade market for him this offseason, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.

"The Toronto Blue Jays are expected to entertain trade offers this winter for shortstop Bo Bichette, who has no plans to stay in Toronto once he's a free agent after the 2025 season," Nightengale wrote in August.

In the meantime, Toronto will finish the remainder of what has been a disappointing season. The Blue Jays sit at the bottom of the AL East at 67-74 on the year and have virtually no chance of reaching the postseason.

If Toronto can lock down Guerrero this offseason, it would at least give fans something to be happy about this year.

The Toronto Blue Jays face the possibility of losing star slugger Vlad Guerrero Jr. when he becomes a free agent after the 2025 season, but the team reportedly doesn't plan on letting him hit the open market.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Blue Jays "want to try signing" Guerrero before he reaches free agency. Meanwhile, the team is also "expected to entertain trade offers this winter for shortstop Bo Bichette."

Nightengale added that Bichette, who is also a free agent after the 2025 season "has no plans to stay in Toronto" beyond next year. The 26-year-old has not played since July 19 after being placed on the 10-day injured list with a calf strain. In 79 games this year, he's hitting a career-worst .223 with four home runs and 30 RBI.

While Bichette has struggled, Guerrero has continued to establish himself as one of the most consistent batters in the majors. He leads Toronto with a .317 batting average, a .388 on-base percentage, a .547 slugging percentage, 25 home runs, 80 RBI and 151 hits across 123 games this season.

Despite Guerrero's individual brilliance, the Blue Jays have struggled to find success as a team and rank last in the AL East with a 58-66 record. The team bounced back from back-to-back losses to the Chicago Cubs with a 1-0 win in Sunday's series finale. Guerrero was held to 0-for-3, but Joey Loperfido's solo home run in the second inning was enough for the victory.

Guerrero would undoubtedly command a massive contract if he were to test free agency. If Toronto is able to extend him before he hits the open market, it will solidify his status as the face of the franchise.

The Houston Astros are reportedly adding a starting pitcher to their rotation.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, the Astros are acquiring left-handed start pitcher Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal first reported that the Astros were "close to acquiring" starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Rosenthal also reported that the Blue Jays are expected to land rookie starter Jake Bloss in return. SportsNet's Ben Nicholson-Smith added that Toronto will get left fielder Joey Loperfido and infielder Will Wagner.

Loperfido made his debut this season and has two homers, 16 RBI and a .236 batting average. Wagner was listed as the No. 13 prospect in the Astros system, per MLB.com.

Bloss, a third-round pick in the 2023 MLB draft who made his debut in June, has struggled through his first three starts with a 6.94 ERA and 1.63 WHIP across 11.2 innings pitched. He was slated to start for Houston on Monday but was scratched shortly before the start of the game.

The Blue Jays bringing in a young arm comes as they sit at the bottom of the AL East at 49-57 on the year. While Bloss has pitched just three times thus far, Toronto saw something that intrigued it enough to give him away for a veteran pitcher.

FanGraphs gives the Blue Jays just a 1.0 percent chance to make the postseason, so making moves that will help them build for the future seems like the right move.

Kikuchi, in his sixth major league season, hasn't had the best start with a 4.75 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 4-9 record through 22 starts, but perhaps being on a new team will give him a boost. He's coming off the best season of his career that saw him notch a career-high 3.86 ERA while recording an 11-6 record.

The addition of Kikuchi comes as the Astros rotation has been depleted by injuries. Justin Verlander has missed more than a month with a neck issue, while both Cristian Javier and José Urquidy are out for the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Luis Garcia is also still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.

Even with the rotation injuries, Houston has surged this summer and sits at the top of the AL West at 55-50. Now adding some depth to the rotation, the Astros will look to make a deep postseason run.

Amid their ongoing struggles this season, the Toronto Blue Jays are moving on from Justin Turner after trading him to the Seattle Mariners.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal first reported the trade, and the Seattle Times' Ryan Divish added that Seattle will get a minor league prospect in return.

Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reported the return is outfield prospect RJ Schreck:

The trade comes amid rumors that the Mariners were eyeing Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Yandy Diaz. Now having landed Turner, Seattle making a move for Diaz seems unlikely.

Coming off three playoff appearances in the previous four years, expectations were high in Toronto for 2024. Things haven't gone as well as the Blue Jays with a 49-56 record that has them in last place in the AL East.

Turner has been an okay addition with a .254/.349/.371 slash line in 89 games. Even though his power output isn't what it was from his peak years, the ability to get on base at a decent clip makes him valuable for a playoff contender.

While primarily a designate hitter at this point in his career, Turner is capable of playing first or third base. He is playing on a one-year, $13 million contract that made him very likely to be dealt for a team in Toronto's current position.

If Turner can add some of the power back to his production that he had as recently as last season (23 homers in 146 games), this could be one of the better low-cost deadline acquisitions for any team.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Minnesota Twins and Houston Astros have all explored a trade for Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, according to MLB Network's Jon Morosi.

Morosi reported a swap "is seen as very likely" ahead of Tuesday's 6 p.m. ET deadline.

The Blue Jays are 49-56 and 7.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the American League. FanGraphs gives them just a 1.4 percent chance of reaching the postseason.

Dealing a veteran who's in the last year of his contract is a natural decision for Toronto to consider given its bleak outlook. Some are wondering whether the front office should weigh more drastic moves, such as sending out four-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

The return from a Kikuchi would be somewhat limited given his expiring contract along with the fact he's not a No. 1 ace. Flipping him for anything would mean getting more than just watching him leave as a free agent, though.

The 33-year-old is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA but a more impressive 3.64 FIP in 22 appearances. He's also averaging his fewest walks (2.3) and second-highest strikeouts (10.1) per nine innings.

For a contender, Kikuchi is an attractive target because of his low cost along with his relatively stable performance on the mound. He made 93 starts with a 4.38 ERA and 468 strikeouts to 168 walks between 2021 and 2023. The southpaw has stayed healthy while helping to fill out the back half of the rotation.

Kikuchi won't be a major difference-maker on a different team, but the depth he can provide would go a long way in the stretch run.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may not be a lock to be traded away from the Toronto Blue Jays.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the four-time All-Star "wants to stay" with the Blue Jays and is even "willing to sign a long-term extension to do so."

This news comes as he is considered one of the "most coveted" players at this year's deadline and could fetch a significant trade package for Toronto. Despite this, ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that a trade is "unlikely," and Guerrero Jr. may get his wish to stay in Toronto.

He is currently playing on a one-year, $19.9 million contract and is also arbitration-eligible for 2025. After that, he can hit free agency prior and head to the highest bidder.

He is hitting .301/.373/.491 with 18 home runs and 62 RBIs in 2024. This has come on a Toronto team that has struggled to a 48-56 record and have seemingly begun the selling process at the 2024 Deadline.

Toronto likely didn't expect to be sellers at this point, with the franchise having qualified for the postseason in three of the last four seasons. However, the struggles this season and the strength of the AL East could push the team towards retooling the roster.

While moving off of Guerrero Jr. isn't a necessity yet as he can't hit free agency until 2026, the return would be more significant this year when he is more than just a rental for the end of the season. However, his desire to remain with the franchise signals that the Blue Jays could settle with him following the season and incorporate him into future plans.

The 2024 MLB Trade Deadline is set for July 30 at 6 p.m. ET.

One of the biggest names to watch could be staying put at the MLB trade deadline next week.

Per ESPN's Jeff Passan, teams around the majors "acknowledge" that a trade involving Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is "unlikely."

"Teams starving for offense long for Toronto to make Guerrero available -- and are hopeful that the Blue Jays' public-facing attitude toward any deal is simply a negotiating tactic to drive up the return. (They also acknowledge this is unlikely)," Passan wrote.

Guerrero has been the center of trade rumors for most of the summer due to the disconnect between him and the Blue Jays about a new contract. The 25-year-old is playing on a one-year, $19.9 million deal this year, but is seeking a long-term extension to remain in Toronto.

As of last week, MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported the two sides were "not particularly close to getting a deal done," which led many to believe he could be moved.

Earlier in July, Guerrero expressed his interest in staying in Toronto while also recognizing that the team will do what is best for it in the long run.

"Man, I don't want to leave. I want to stay here all my life," Guerrero said, per TSN's Scott Mitchell. "But this is business."

In his sixth MLB campaign, Guerrero has 18 homers, 62 RBI and a .296 batting average amid a 46-56 season from the Blue Jays.

Toronto's hopes of a postseason berth are likely over at this point, but keeping Guerrero around after the deadline could help the Blue Jays build toward long-term success.

Ahead of the MLB trade deadline next week, an executive believes it's time for the Toronto Blue Jays to move on from Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Per ESPN's Jesse Rogers, the executive believes the Seattle Mariners would be a possible suitor.

"Just rip the Band-Aid off and trade Guerrero," the executive said. "The Mariners should be calling every day."

As the deadline approaches, Guerrero's future in Toronto seems very uncertain. The star first baseman has yet to receive the long-term contract he's seeking, and the two sides are reportedly "not particularly close to getting a deal done," per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand.

The current disconnect on a contract could make trading Guerrero an easier decision for Toronto, though it would hurt its chances of competing in the immediate future. If the Blue Jays decide to move on from the 25-year-old, they would likely be searching for top prospects in return.

That makes the Mariners an intriguing team to do business with.

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter considers the Mariners to have the top farm system in the majors with players like outfielder Lazaro Montes, shortstop Colt Emerson and catcher Harry Ford highlighting a talented group.

If Seattle is willing to part with one of those young talents, it could get one of the top first basemen in the majors.