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Blue Jays don’t plan on trading Chris Bassitt and Kevin Gausman, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith
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Photo credit: © Dan Hamilton - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Jul 26, 2024, 10:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 26, 2024, 10:02 EDT
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The 2024 Major League Baseball trade deadline is quickly approaching.
With a 46-56 record, the Toronto Blue Jays sit 15 games back of the American League East division lead as well as 9.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot. The Blue Jays are obviously selling come Tuesday.
As you likely know, the Jays have six players who will become free agents at the end of the season – Yusei Kikuchi, Trevor Richards, Yimi García, Justin Turner, Danny Jansen, and Kevin Kiermaier. However, the Blue Jays front office wishes to contend in 2025, which means that it’s unlikely that players under contract for 2025 and beyond will be moved.
On Wednesday, Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet released an article listing players and whether or not they are available. In that article, there are some interesting notes.
It looks like the Jays will move those six players, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Chad Green potentially being moved. Nicholson-Smith noted that the Blue Jays plan to keep Green, as he has one more season remaining on his deal.
More notably though, Nicholson-Smith reported that both Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt aren’t being shopped. The latter’s name has come up, as Jim Bowden linked him to the Cardinals in an article a few days ago. Of course, the narrative that both Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won’t be traded also remains in this article.
Realistically, the Blue Jays should be selling everyone not named Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or their young, controllable players such as Davis Schneider, Spencer Horwitz, and Addison Barger. However, the front office is steadfast on contending in 2025, a move that will likely bite them in the butt unless some major moves are made in the off-season.
For example, Bassitt should probably be traded, as his value will never be higher for the Jays. This season, the righty has a 3.78 ERA and a 3.85 FIP in 119 innings pitched, along with a 21.3 K% and a 9.3 BB% for a 2 fWAR. At 35 years old, a decline due to age isn’t out of the question and he’s under contract for the 2025 season.
If the Blue Jays don’t plan on re-signing Guerrero Jr. or Bichette, a team acquiring either player would have a postseason run and an additional season of team control. Guerrero Jr. is having his best season since 2021, slashing .296/.367/.488 with 18 home runs in 436 plate appearances for a 143 wRC+ and a 2 fWAR. Trading Guerrero Jr. at this deadline could expedite the inevitable rebuild, while Bichette’s value is hard to pinpoint due to the poor season and injuries.
Realistically, it’s a pretty crappy situation to be in because if the Jays don’t contend in 2025, they’ll be kicking themselves in the teeth by not committing to the rebuild on Tuesday.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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