Olney: Don’t expect a massive return for Stroman and Sanchez

One of the biggest storylines surrounding the Blue Jays this season is the seemingly inevitable trades of Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman. As both soon-to-be free agent starters pitch well, most fans see them as a part of the long-term solution. The front office seems to think otherwise.

Buster Olney appeared on Sportsnet 590 with Ben Ennis and JD Bunkis yesterday to talk about the direction the Blue Jays should go with their two key starters:

The main point is one we’ve heard many times before. Olney suggests that it makes sense for the Jays to sell high on Sanchez and Stroman as both guys are pitching well right now. This is especially important in the case of Sanchez as he’s had back-to-back seasons derailed due to injury. His strong start has done a lot to boost his value and there’s a little bit of volatility there if the Jays decide to hang on and wait. Same goes, to a lesser extent, for Marcus Stroman, who had a rough showing in 2018 due to various injuries.

Another point Olney brought up is what the market for Stroman and Sanchez would look like. According to Olney, the Jays shouldn’t expect to have their minds blown by the offers they get for their two ace starters. Olney mentions Madison Bumgarner’s availability and Dallas Keuchel still waiting around on the free agent market as a couple of example of other good arms bogging down the market for starting pitching.

This is a debate we’re going to be having all year. I see the logic behind trading both Stroman or Sanchez in order to bring in young, controllable assets rather than gambling with the two players as they head to free agency. I mean, we saw the front office cling to Josh Donaldson, which ultimately resulted in him getting traded for virtually nothing at the trade deadline last year.

But then again, starting pitching is really, really hard to find. If Sanchez and Stroman are dealt, what does the rotation look like in 2020? Ryan Borucki, Trent Thornton, and… Uhhh… Sean Reid-Foley? Who has an 8.50 ERA in Triple-A? Nate Pearson? Patrick Murphy?

Hopefully, if the Jays do deal Stroman and Sanchez, they get back arms that can step in and help as soon as next year because this rotation is going to be complete ass without them.