It is May 19, and for Toronto Blue Jays fans, it is not quite time to panic, but knowing where the panic button is now prudent.
The Jays remain the sole tenant of the heartbreak floor of the American League East, and the team that on paper looked like a Wild Card team has been more of a pair of deuces. With inconsistent starting pitching, a suspect bullpen and streaky batting, the horses look like they aren’t there to cross the finish line…or even place.
I have been (and always will) position myself in sports positivity. Hence my “beer can is half full,” but the man who holds it is based on logic. Baseball teams in this situation are ALWAYS sellers come the trading deadline at the end of July, and we are eleven days from the halfway point from opening day to that pivotal “all in” or “there’s always next year” date.
As of this writing, Toronto is 11.5 games back of the Yankees and 4.5 behind the final Wild Card spot with three other teams ahead of them, so if this talented and highly paid roster is going right the ship, that has to happen ASAP.
However, If the Jays are sellers, here is who I suspect won’t finish the year in a Toronto uniform:
Yusei Kikuchi
In the final season of a three-year deal, the Japanese southpaw took over from Jose Berrios as the team’s pitching leader in bWAR (1.4) and has been the squad’s most consistent hurler this year. In his sixth season in Major League Baseball (his first three were with Seattle), Kikuchi never finished a year with an ERA under 3.80, a WHIP under 1.200 and an ERA+ over 110. Currently, he has a 2.60 ERA, 1.096 WHIP and 148 ERA+, and as long he can keep that curveball popping, what contending team would not want to add a solid inning-eating lefty to their staff? Kikuchi could have rent-a-player vibes all over him in July.
Justin Turner
Approaching 40, Turner signed a one-year deal with Toronto and has cooled off after a hot start to the season. Nevertheless, Turner proved that he can still hit at the Major League level. Turner also can eat up pitches, a valuable asset to chase starters, and his veteran presence as a player who has won it all before (Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020) is an asset to any dugout. Turner won’t be able to command as many prospects in return as Kikuchi, but Turner’s MLB future will only be in one-year contacts anyway.
Yimi Garcia
In 2024, Garcia has been the only good pitcher out of the Blue Jays bullpen and is doing so in the year of his life. In 18 Innings (over 17 Games), the ten-year veteran has allowed only one run and boasts a 0.50 ERA and 0.611 WHIP. Available for free agency after the season, Garcia is the only Jays relief pitcher who might get something valuable in return.
Danny Jansen
This one hurts to type. Jansen is nearing the end of his contract with Toronto, and though he is not a full-time catcher, he is a popular clubhouse guy who has pop off of the bat. In 73 plate appearances this year he has a 1.009 OPS and is batting .313.
Until then, touch them all!
