Toronto Blue Jays

The Toronto Blue Jays are open for business ahead of the July 30 trade deadline, but it reportedly will take a monumental offer to convince them to trade away any of their star players.

According to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, "since the Blue Jays plan to keep the door open on contending in 2025, prying away the likes of Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. will be extremely difficult." It was noted that the Blue Jays "aren't shopping those players or the injured Bo Bichette," and for interested teams "to acquire someone like Guerrero Jr., they'd have to bowl the Blue Jays over."

Despite having such a talented crop of players, Toronto ranks last in the AL East with a 45-55 record. Still, it sounds like the team is hoping to avoid a rebuild, so it would be a surprise to see it give up a top player in exchange for future assets.

While the team has struggled to find consistency, Guerrero is still performing at a high level. The 25-year-old leads the Blue Jays with a .293 batting average, 17 home runs, 60 RBI, 113 hits, 41 walks and a .841 OPS. Trading for him would require a substantial return, so Nicholson-Smith noted, "The safe guess is that doesn't happen."

As for the players Toronto is willing to trade, Nicholson-Smith predicted that the chances of starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi and reliever Yimi Garcia being dealt away are "extremely high." Outfielder Kevin Kiermaier, designated hitter Justin Turner and reliever Trevor Richards were also considered to be "available."

The Blue Jays appear to have accepted the reality that a second-half comeback isn't in the cards, so it will be interesting to see how they approach the trade deadline.

Toronto will be in action on Wednesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays in the second game of their three-game series.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been among the most disappointing teams in MLB this year, with lofty expectations unmet, underperformance from some stars, and reports of trades for others.

Two players at the forefront of the trade deadline rumor mill are first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette, once considered foundational pieces for the organization but now being shipped out of town by every prognosticator expecting the Blue Jays to tear everything down and start over.

Buster Olney reported for ESPN that will not be the case. He wrote, "The Toronto Blue Jays have signaled to other teams that they intend to try to win in 2025 rather than to go through a full rebuild, and this is being interpreted by some other teams as an assertion that Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette -- each eligible for free agency after '25 -- won't be moved this summer."

Is Toronto essentially giving up on this season, with the team 15 games out of first place in the AL East and nothing suggesting they can make a historic comeback? Sure, but giving up the organization's two most valuable assets would be a panic move that would not only signify a rebuild but would likely disenfranchise the fans.

Guerrero is immensely popular, both in Toronto and around the league. So much so that he is the cover boy for the MLB: The Show 24 video game and had the 14th highest-selling jersey in MLB at the All-Star break.

Statistically, he is not having one of his banner seasons, but he also is not having a bad one by any stretch of the imagination.

Guerrero has accumulated 112 hits, 16 home runs, 59 RBI, two stolen bases, a slash line of .292/.361/.473, and a WAR of 2.4, per Baseball-Reference.

Bichette, on the other hand, has struggled mightily, hitting just four home runs and driving in 30 runs on a slash line of .223/.276/.321.

It has been frustrating to watch the 26-year-old shortstop this season given that he has spent the last three seasons as one of the best pure hitters in the game. The team just placed him on the 10-day injured list with a calf strain, with the expectation being that he will miss multiple weeks, perhaps shedding some light on why his play has not lived up to the expectations of anyone involved.

Bichette had the 19th highest-selling jersey at the All-Star break.

One down season does not a downward spiral make, be it in terms of individual players or the team as a whole.

Getting rid of either player admits failure for a front office that once appeared to have all the pieces in place for a World Series run.

That did not happen, but the organization has built a playoff team in three of the last four seasons. The team should be focused on advancing past the Wild Card round, not setting unrealistic expectations like "World Series or bust."

Has the 2024 season been one of bitter disappointment given the talent in place? Absolutely.

Will the team likely deal players on expiring contracts? Probably, with Olney specifically mentioning pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, catcher Danny Jansen, and reliever Yimi Garcia.

Any conversation beginning with, or involving, Guerrero and Bichette should be non-starters for the club, regardless of what the haul is in return.

The Blue Jays are smart not to move either, instead staying the course and looking forward to 2025, where both Guerrero and Bichette will have the opportunity to make up for their so-so years and prove they belong in the team's plans moving into the future.

Toronto Blue Jays will listen to offers for players signed with the team past the 2024 season, MLB Network's Jon Morosi reported amid trade rumors surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s expiring contract.

According to Morosi, "a strong contingent of scouts" will attend Friday night's game between the Blue Jays and Detroit Tigers.

Morosi's report comes after MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported that team sources say the Blue Jays want to keep Guerrero past the trade deadline.

The news could direct attention to Toronto shortstop Bo Bichette, who has also been the subject of trade rumors and is currently signed with the team through 2025.

The report also marks a change in the Blue Jays' position as reported on July 10 by Feinsand.

Feinsand wrote then that "the Blue Jays have told other clubs that they are willing to move players with expiring contracts, but those with control beyond 2024 are not being traded."

This update comes as the Blue Jays head into Friday night's game 9.5 games back of an AL Wild Card spot, with five teams between them a trip to the 2024 postseason.

General manager Ross Atkins said three weeks prior that the Jays had put themselves "into a tough spot" heading into the trade deadline.

"Right now our focus is on the 2024 team, and with every decision you make... you have to be thinking about the future, as well," Atkins said in June (h/t MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.) "As you've seen over the last four years, we've poured a lot into the current team from a financial standpoint, a trade standpoint and a resource standpoint. We'll continue to do that until it doesn't make sense to do so any more."

Since that statement from Atkins, the Blue Jays have gone 7-9 and are no closer to securing a postseason berth. The team came out of the All-Star break as one of six clubs more than seven and a half games back from a Wild Card spot.

That puts the Jays on track to reverse course and become sellers at the deadline, leading Feinsand to report last week that he believes "there's a chance" the team deals relief pitcher Chad Green. Green, like Bichette, is signed through the 2025 season.

Feinsand noted that the team is "not going to just give Green away, as the Jays hope to bounce back and contend again in 2025."

The same applies to Bichette, who is batting a career-low .222 with an OPS of .596 through 78 games. If the Blue Jays decide to attempt to trade Bichette prior to his final year under team control, they will need to avoid selling low by finding a team ready to make a lucrative bet on a bounce-back campaign from the two-time All-Star.

The Toronto Blue Jays figure to be one of the most intriguing teams to watch ahead of the July 30 MLB trade deadline, which makes Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s future with the team something of a question mark.

And the two sides reportedly have plenty of ground to cover if they are going to agree on a contract extension with that as the backdrop.

MLB.com's Mark Feinsand reported Tuesday that Guerrero and the Blue Jays are "not particularly close to getting a deal done" even though they have discussed a contract extension. For now, the first baseman is under team control through the end of the 2025 campaign.

Feinsand also noted that "an overwhelming offer could make Toronto consider" trading Guerrero even though it has no plans on moving him.

"I would love to be in Toronto," Guerrero said. "My family loves Toronto, my kids love Toronto, but at the end of the day, it's a business. We all need to understand that, so whatever happens happens. Definitely, I would like to stay there."

The Blue Jays are in last place in the American League East and 9.5 games back of the final wild-card spot in the AL. It is difficult to envision them making a playoff push after the All-Star break given their overall inconsistency, which could lead to the front office focusing on the future.

While trading Guerrero with more than a year remaining on his contract would be quite the blow to the team's immediate future, a big enough return could accelerate the timeline on a rebuild.

It would also prevent a situation where he might leave in free agency for nothing in return down the line if the team and player are unable to come to terms on a new deal as they continue to negotiate.

Guerrero would certainly net a significant return in a trade, as he is still just 25 years old and has a resume that includes a Silver Slugger award, a Gold Glove and four All-Star selections. He led the league in home runs with 48 in 2021 and was named to the All-Star Game this season following an impressive start.

In 95 games, he is slashing .288/.359/.456 with 14 home runs and 55 RBI.

He has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Blue Jays, but his chance at being a bright spot in the future for the organization will come down to whether he and the front office can close the gap on their contract negotiations.

Even though the Toronto Blue Jays seem like an obvious seller leading up to the trade deadline, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. may not be one of the players they are looking to move.

Per MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, the Blue Jays want to keep Guerrero and he is "open" to staying with the club on a long-term deal.

Rumors about Toronto's plans are all over the place right now, which isn't completely surprising with just over two weeks remaining before the deadline.

Feinsand wrote on Wednesday that the Blue Jays have told other teams they are willing to move players on expiring contracts, but anyone under control past 2024 won't be traded.

One of those players on an expiring deal was Kevin Kiermaier, who was placed on waivers on Thursday. He wasn't likely going to bring back much in a trade anyway since he's hitting .191/.238/.295 in 71 games.

Other Toronto players whose contract runs out after this season include Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner and Yimi Garcia. Guerrero has one more year of team control before he can become a free agent. Bo Bichette is signed through 2025. Kevin Gausman has two years left on his deal beyond 2024. José Berríos has an opt-out clause after 2026.

Guerrero still hasn't gotten back to the 2021 form when he finished second in AL MVP voting, but he is having a very good season. The 25-year-old has a .287/.361/.448 slash line with 13 homers and 53 RBI in 402 plate appearances.

The Blue Jays enter their weekend series against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 43-50 record. They are 8.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox for the final wild card spot in the AL.

Toronto has made the playoffs in each of the past two seasons and three of the previous four years. The club has lost seven straight postseason games dating back to the 2016 ALCS.

Ahead of the MLB trade deadline at the end of July, Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. gave his thoughts about his future with the team.

He said that he wants to stay in Toronto, but understands that he has to think about the business side of things.

"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."

Guerrero, who is on a one-year, $19.9 million deal, also said money isn't something he thinks about.

"My time is going to come," Guerrero said. "I don't know if it's soon or not but it's going to come."

Guerrero's comments come as the sixth-year veteran seeks a long-term extension, either with the Blue Jays or elsewhere. If Toronto isn't willing to give him a deal, he could request a trade or depart in free agency in 2025.

In each of the last three seasons, Guerrero has signed one-year arbitration deals despite putting up solid numbers. This year, the 25-year-old has 13 homers, 50 RBI and a .296 batting average, shaking off a rough start to the season.

The Blue Jays are in a similar position with budding star Bo Bichette, who signed a three-year deal in 2023, avoiding arbitration. Toronto reportedly "never came close" to signing Guerrero and Bichette to long-term deals, and that could result in the franchise's cornerstones wanting out of the organization.

The Jays are 39-48 on the year and are unlikely to reach the postseason at this point. With any hopes of competing for a World Series likely shot, Toronto could opt to blow things up at the trade deadline, potentially trading Guerrero or Bichette—or both.

That would throw a wrench in Guerrero's plans of staying with the team his entire career, but it could ultimately help the 25-year-old in the long run.

The Toronto Blue Jays "never came close" to agreeing on long-term extensions for Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in past negotiations, Jon Heyman reported for the New York Post.

"And folks who know the pair believe the Jays have little to no chance to lock up Bichette, and maybe only a slightly better chance with Guerrero," Heyman wrote.

The Blue Jays are on pace to be sellers at the deadline, and both Bichette and Guerrero are currently set to hit unrestricted free agency in 2026.

However, Toronto general manager Ross Atkins indicated earlier this month that the Jays plan to keep both stars past the July 30 deadline.

"It just doesn't make any sense for us," Atkins said June 2 on MLB Network radio, per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson. "There will be occasional times when you're talking to other executives, when they'll ask if you'd consider it, and we just say it's not something that we have spent any time on."

However, Bichette told Sportsnet's Hazel Mae on Thursday that he would be "not surprised at all" to be traded at the deadline.

The Jays avoided arbitration with Bichette by agreeing to a three-year deal prior to last season, but they went to arbitration with Guerrero earlier this year. The team, which filed at $18.05 million, lost to Guerrero's bid of $19.9 million for the 2024 season.

While struggling to lock down stars who developed in Toronto to long-term deals, the Jays have also been recently unable to land major targets in free agency. Toronto "came up well short in an under-the-radar effort to sign Corey Seager" before the four-time All-Star shortstop signed with the Texas Rangers in 2021, Heyman reported.

The Blue Jays also made a bid for two-way star Shohei Ohtani last offseason, according to Heyman. Instead, Ohtani went to the Dodgers, and the slumping Jays are 37-43 on the season and 6.0 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the final AL wild-card spot.

Heyman named pending free-agent pitchers Yusei Kikuchi and Yimi Garcia as "more likely" candidates for trades than Bichette and Guerrero.

If the Blue Jays are unable to pick up the pace of negotiations by this offseason, however, both Toronto stars could be playing somewhere else by 2026.

Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette says he would not be "surprised at all" if he was moved to another team at the 2024 MLB trade deadline.

Bichette is under team control for one more season after signing a three-year, $33.6 million extension with Toronto last year.

After an All-Star campaign in 2023, he is batting a career-low .234 through 67 games this season. The Blue Jays have meanwhile fallen to 36-43 and are on pace to sell at the June 30 deadline.

Bichette recently missed several games with a calf injury before coming back from the IL on June 25.

He was once again held without a hit in his return, continuing his down campaign after leading the AL in hits two times in the last three years.

Bichette is set to earn $17.6 million on an expiring contract next season, making him a rumored trade candidate if the Blue Jays decide to use the deadline as an opportunity to begin retooling the roster.

Toronto general manager Ross Atkins earlier this month pushed back against the idea that the Blue Jays would be moving parts of their core this summer.

"It just doesn't make any sense for us," Atkins said about trading Bichette or Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in a June 2 interview with MLB Network Radio, per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson.

But Atkins did confirm that Bichette and Guerrero had been the subject of trade interest from other teams.

"There will be occasional times when you're talking to other executives, when they'll ask if you'd consider it, and we just say it's not something that we have spent any time on," Atkins said. "Because they are so talented and such great teammates, they are attractive to other teams, so they will call."

Bichette will likely be looking for a long-term extension on his next deal.

The Blue Jays have reportedly discussed an extension with Bichette, but nothing has yet been finalized, leaving open the possibility that Toronto could eventually consider moving the two-time All-Star before his deal is up next fall. If the Blue Jays do consider a move, it sounds like Bichette will be ready for it.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who said in 2022 that he would "never sign with the Yankees, not even dead," appears to be changing his stance on a possible move to New York.

"Sometimes one says things. It is not that I am trying to take back what I said about the Yankees," Guerrero told Virus Deportivo (h/t Mike Rodriguez and ESPN.) "But this is a business. I sat down and spoke with my dad and my family, and this is a business... I'm a player, and if a team picks me or if they do something, it's because they need it, obviously, and I'll be happy to help any team."

Guerrero made his initial comment about the Yankees to El Dotol Nastra in 2022 (h/t The Score.)

In 2023 he told the New York Post's Ryan Dunleavy through a translator that the comment was due to "a personal thing that goes back with my family."

Guerrero is batting .286 through 78 games this season as the Blue Jays fall to 35-43. He is currently under arbitration for one more season and scheduled to hit free agency in 2026.

Guerrero's father, former Montreal Expos star Vladimir Guerrero Sr., said last year that he had counseled his son against making his definitive statements.

"I told him not to say that because he doesn't know if that is the team that is going to give him the money," Guerrero Sr. said last February (h/t EnSegundos' José Peguero and Z101 Digital's Héctor Gómez.)

Guerrero has been floated as a potential trade option for the Yankees even before first baseman Anthony Rizzo suffered a right forearm fracture.

The Blue Jays slugger has 10 home runs this season. Although a slow start has him some distance away from matching the AL-leading 48 homers he put over the fence in 2021, Guerrero still boasts one of the most powerful bats in the MLB.

That quality could be attractive to the Yankees, who have climbed to the AL East thanks to explosive offense from Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.

The Blue Jays have made three postseason appearances since drafting Guerrero in 2019, but they have yet to win a postseason game during his six-season tenure. The team is now on track to follow up two wild-card exits with a postseason miss.

That experience may have led to Guerrero softening his stance on a potential trade to a contender like the Yankees, who entered Tuesday as one of three MLB teams to accumulate 50 wins this season.

There's a chance Guerrero may not hit the trade block if Toronto decides to take advantage of his contract's final year of team control.

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said earlier this month on MLB Network Radio that it "doesn't make any sense for us" to trade the first baseman, per ESPN.

Two days after making his MLB debut, Toronto Blue Jays top prospect Orelvis Martinez was suspended for 80 games for violating the leagues performance-enhancing drug policy.

"We were both surprised and disappointed to learn of Orelvis Martinez's suspension," Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins said. "We will do everything in our power to ensure Orelvis has learned from this mistake."

In a statement, Martinez said he was prescribed a fertility treatment by a doctor in the Dominican Republic that included a banned substance:

The 22-year-old signed with Toronto as an international free agent in 2018 and quickly made an impression. In 40 games with Toronto's Gulf Coast League affiliate in 2019, he slugged .549 with seven homers and 32 RBI.

Martinez's power has followed each of his promotions through the Blue Jays' farm system. Between 2021 and 2023, he hit 86 home runs while moving from High-A through Triple-A.

The versatile infielder began this year with the Buffalo Bisons in the International League, where he continued to rake. He boasted a .260/.343/.523 slash line with 16 homers in 269 plate appearances.

With everyday shortstop Bo Bichette placed on the injured list, the Blue Jays called Martinez up to the majors earlier this week. He went 1-for-3 in Friday's 7-1 loss to the Cleveland Guardians.

Now, Martinez may not see an MLB diamond again until 2025.

His 80-game ban won't cover the remainder of the season but will overlap with the vast majority of the second half. At 35-41, the Blue Jays have 86 games the rest of the way.

Following his suspension, Toronto activated outfielder Steward Berroa. The team also confirmed Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at short Sunday against Cleveland for the second straight game.