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The Blue Jays need to trade Chad Green in order to capatilize on the relief pitching market
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Photo credit: © Sergio Estrada-USA TODAY Sports
Tyson Shushkewich
Jul 28, 2024, 15:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 28, 2024, 13:58 EDT
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The Toronto Blue Jays are in sell mode, having already moved three pieces from their current roster – RHP Yimi García, RHP Nate Pearson, and C Danny Jansen. In return, the Jays have been stocking up in the farm system in the form of seven players, six of which are position players while also adding one right-hander in the form of Gilberto Batista down in single-A Dunedin.
Five of the Jays’ newest prospects are ranked within the MLB Pipeline prospect rankings, with OF Jonatan Clase leading the charge at seventh. He and C Jacob Sharp were acquired from the Mariners in exchange for García. For Pearson, the only player traded by the Jays with contract control into 2025, the organization landed OF Yohendrick Pinango and SS Josh Rivera, who now rank 25th and 30th respectively in the listing.
Looking at the remaining arms worth trading in the Blue Jays system, reliever Chad Green is gaining traction on the rumour mill as teams continue to bolster their relief corps heading into the latter half of the season.

The Blue Jays should consider trading Chad Green

At the time of the García deal, Clase was ranked at #10 in the Mariners organization and had some MLB experience under his belt from earlier in the campaign with his elite speed and enough power to crack 20 home runs from both sides of the batter’s box. Other teams are also maximizing the reliever market, most notably:
  • Tampa Bay Rays acquire RHP Dylan Lesko, OF Homer Bush Jr., and C J.D. Gonzalez
  • San Diego Padres acquire RHP Jason Adam
  • Los Angeles Angels acquire RHP George Klassen and  LHP Samuel Aldegheri
  • Philadelphia Phillies acquire RHP Carlos Estévez
  • Washington Nationals acquire 3B Cayden Wallace and Royals Competitive Balance A selection (C Caleb Lomavita)
  • Kansas City Royals acquire RHP Hunter Harvey
All these teams that traded away a reliever received a talented haul of prospects back, each with varying degrees of contract control (Estévez is a free agent this winter, Harvey is eligible after 2025, and Adam is eligible after 2026) which does influence the return.
For the Blue Jays, Chad Green is signed through next year at a $10.5 million cap hit after this past offseason’s two-year extension. The reliever was coming off of Tommy John surgery last year and returned late in the campaign. This season, the right-hander has found his rhythm back and has been on the standouts in a lacklustre Blue Jays bullpen.
Through 30 outings, Green owns a 1.74 ERA through 31 innings of work, compiling seven saves while pitching in high-leverage situations for the Jays. While he has seen a slight decline in his K/9 rate (7.8), Green has been commanding the strike zone and limiting the walks to the tune of a 2.6 BB/9 while also pitching to a 5.5 H/9 – his lowest mark since the 2020 season.
Working predominantly with a two-pitch mix – a four-seam fastball and a slider – Green sits below the qualified mark on numerous statcast metrics due to missing over a month back in late April/early May with a right teres major muscle strain.
Through the sample size, Green sits below a few marks that may concern suitors with opponents owning a 10.0% barrel rate and a 48.8% hard-hit rate that ranks towards the lower percentile marks (again, not enough reps to be qualified). Green also has some advanced metrics that are a tad concerning, such as his 3.92 xERA and his 4.47 FIP as noted by my fellow Blue Jays Nation colleague Thomas Hall.
On a positive note, the extra year of control, even at a $10.5 million hit, is likely not a deterrent for numerous playoff-bound clubs this season and Green has notable experience in the playoffs. Through six years, mostly with the Yankees from 2017 to 2021 and with the Jays last year, Green has authored a 3.95 ERA through 19 outings and 27 1/3 innings – compiling 28 strikeouts compared to nine free passes.
This season, Green might be allowing hard contact but is finding results – most notably in the fly ball category where he has seen a jump to 38.8% this season. With exit velocities and hard-hit percentages in mind, opposing batters have not been translating that contact into hits or runs – standing at a .187 BAbip and .179/.248/.349 slash line with a .597 OPS to boot – all of which stands below his career slash line numbers.

The relief pitching trade market is benefiting the sellers

Overall, with the Blue Jays looking to continue trading players before the deadline, Chad Green is one player the club should consider moving. With rival teams paying top dollar in a free agent market that is benefiting the seller, there is no reason the Blue Jays should not be hopping on that train with the likes of Green and Trevor Richards still on the roster.
The rumour mill has the Yankees and the Phillies interested in the reliever and with his playoff experience, additional year of control, and notable numbers in high-leverage situations this season, the return on Chad Green should benefit the Blue Jays whether it be in prospect capital or players who can help the club with contending in 2025 (should that idea still be on the table).

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