The Toronto Blue Jays are one of the hottest teams at the GM Meetings this week in Las Vegas. Reports coming from the grounds have the Jays tied to numerous markets – pitching, power bats, international free agents – everything and between as they try to form a squad that can improve upon their World Series defeat from early November.

Toronto does have some holes it needs to plug up this winter. The most glaring is at the shortstop position, with Bo Bichette a free agent for the first time in his career. Another is in the rotation, with the Jays still needing to fill a rotation spot even with the recent emergence of Trey Yesavage and the return of Shane Bieber. The bullpen could also use another arm or two to beef up the relief corps for another long season ahead. A power bat isn’t a bad idea; as numerous names this winter check that box off in free agency.

As well, the Jays could explore the trade market to fill these roster holes, with the rumour mill already churning for who may be available this offseason. Some names have been consistent, dating back to last winter and the trade deadline, while others are new to the hot stove game, with small-market teams either looking to trade players before their contracts become too expensive or other teams are heading into rebuilding mode and want to trade while the iron is hot.

If Toronto wants to play in the deep end, some definite names are floating out there that could easily improve the Jays on numerous fronts. The farm system did take a bit of a hit this past year due to some deadline deals, but it’s still in a much-improved state compared to last winter, thanks to the emergence of some key prospects within the system. Other than Trey Yesavage, every other prospect could be traded, and that could include some roster players as well, although that depends entirely on the player in question.

Here are four players the Jays could pursue via the trade wire if the club is willing to dump some prospect capital into the deal.

Dominican product Ketel Marte has been one of the most versatile players in the game of baseball, quietly flying under the radar.

A 3x All-Star and a 2x Silver Slugger Award winner, Marte can hit for both power and contact, collecting over 168 home runs since heading to the desert in 2019. For his career, he owns a .281/.351/.472 line across 1230 games, and last season, he was right on track again, producing a 4.4 bWAR with a .893 OPS and 28 home runs. Versatile on the field, the Arizona Diamondbacks have used the switch-hitter mostly at second base but have sprinkled in some spot starts at shortstop and centre field as well.

What makes Marte so attractive as a trade chip is his team-friendly deal. He is owed just $102.5 million over the next six seasons (sixth-year is a player option), which is a relative steal in today’s game for a player producing 4+ bWAR over the past three seasons. The 32-year-old does have some injury concerns – he missed time both this year and last year on the IL – but his contract and output are such as steal that it would be tough to pass up.

The ask would be huge from Arizona, considering all the factors, but if the Blue Jays don’t get Bichette back, acquiring Marte and pushing Andres Gimenez to shortstop is not a bad play if the club is willing to part with some prospect talent.

Back to the Minnesota/Toronto trade scenarios, perhaps?

The Blue Jays have fared well when it comes to trading with the Twins – Louis Varland and Jose Berrios being solid examples – and right-hander Joe Ryan could be one arm in that mix as well.

Ryan was a popular figure at the trade deadline but was kept in the AL Central while numerous teammates were traded away. While it took a few seasons for the 29-year-old to establish himself in the Twins rotation, last season was a huge jump for the California native. Across 31 outings, he posted a 3.42 ERA and a 3.74 FIP with a 10.2 K/9 and a 1.035 WHIP. He kept the walks in check (2.1 BB/9), and his two main pitches were practically untouchable, with the four-seamer and sweeper posting a .197 and a .175 xBA, respectively.

There is a strong likelihood that the Twins continue to trade off assets, and even Byron Buxton’s name has been floating around this winter. Ryan and Pablo Lopez could both be moved this offseason as well, especially since he will continue to earn more over the next two years as he climbs the arbitration ladder (projected for $6 million this offseason).

Trading him now after a stellar season seems like a win for the Twins, and the Jays have done well in recent years with Minnesota swaps.

Edward Cabrera is an interesting name this winter. He’s been someone who has been mentioned at the trade deadline and previous winter’s and once again, Cabrera is a potential trade chip for the Miami Marlins.

The right-hander made 26 starts this year, authoring a 3.53 ERA, 3.83 FIP, and a 1.228 WHIP across a career high 137 2/3 innings. He saw a slight dip in his K/9 rate to 9.8, which sits just 0.2 below his career 10.0 mark, but he reigned in his command this year, posting a 3.1 BB/9. Cabrera’s changeup and curveball were strong pitches this season, posting a +5 and +7 pitching run value, respectively. His curveball worked to a 45.2% whiff rate and a 44.3 K%, becoming one of his go-to options.

The biggest thing for interested clubs is the injury history. He landed on the IL twice last year, twice the year before, and missed more time in 2022 and 2023 due to arm-related injuries. While the right-hander is an exciting arm, he hasn’t made more than 26 starts in a single campaign and has surpassed the 100+ innings mark just once in his career.

Like the others on this list, what makes Cabrera an attractive trade target is his contract status. He is entering Arb2 this winter and is projected to earn $3.75 million, but he is designated as a Super Two player, so he actually has three more years of control compared to two.

The Blue Jays would benefit from another controllable arm, but the assets given up may not outweigh the injury risk associated with Cabrera.

If the Blue Jays want to make the biggest splash of the offseason, then Cincinnati Reds fireballer Hunter Greene is a good place to start.

A former top prospect, Greene has been dominant over the past two seasons, putting up a 2.76 ERA across 258 innings, allowing just 79 earned runs compared to 171 hits and 301 strikeouts (10.5 K/9). Greene also amassed a 0.984 WHIP, 3.39 FIP, and a 162 ERA+ during that time and controlled the strike zone, walking just 83 batters (2.9 BB/9).

His statcast is full of positive values, which is led by his +20 fastball run value, a pitch that averages at 99 MPH and held opponents to a .208 xBA, .260 wOBA, and a .332 SLG. Pair that with a plus slider that generated a 46.9% whiff rate and held opponents to a .177 xBA, and Greene is the complete package at just 26 years old. He also comes with injury risk – a groin injury limited him to 19 stats this past season, and he missed time in 2022, 2023, and 2024 as well – but the upside with him is much greater than other names on this list.

Reds president Nick Krall downplayed the idea of trading Greene this past week at the GM Meetings, so it’s unlikely he might be traded compared to others on this list. That could change if a crazy offer comes in, one that would require basically Arjun Nimmala plus other top prospects outside of Yesavage to get done. Greene is owed $41 million over the next three seasons, and the club holds an additional fourth year that could push it to $60 million – a bargain in today’s game for a top starter.

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