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2026 MLB trade deadline: Blue Jays and Yankees trade fits
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Photo credit: © Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jul 22, 2026, 16:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 22, 2026, 16:36 EDT
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What a difference nine months make.
For what feels like the 20th season in a row, the New York Yankees are in contention to lose in the American League Championship Series. On the other hand, the Toronto Blue Jays are almost guaranteed to be sellers ahead of August 3rd’s trade deadline. It’s a far cry from last season, when the Blue Jays smacked the Yankees in the American League Divisional Series.
But poor performances have ultimately sunk the Blue Jays in 2026. Heading into July 22nd’s game against the Tampa Bay Rays, the Jays are 4-6 in their last 10 and are in the midst of a three-game losing streak. With a record that’s a season-worst nine games below .500, the Jays are 12.5 games behind the division-leading Rays and six games behind the final wild card.
As is usually the case, the Yankees are right in the thick of things. They sit just two games behind the Rays for the American League East division lead, and are four and a half games clear of the Seattle Mariners, who sit on the outside looking in. Their ethos of walks, long-balls, and strong starting pitching will once again get them into the postseason.
Over the years, the Blue Jays have shown a willingness to sell to an AL East rival. Back in 2024, they sent Danny Jansen to the Boston Red Sox for three prospects. Five years before that, they sent Eric Sogard to the Rays for two prospects. And ahead of the 2018 trade deadline, the Blue Jays sent J.A. Happ to the Yankees for Brandon Drury and Billy McKinney.
It’s one of a handful of sizable trades the two teams have made, and there is a chance the two teams can link up again ahead of the 2026 trade deadline.

Who do the Jays have to sell?

The obvious trade candidates on the Blue Jays are the soon-to-be free agents. There are four main players, George Springer, Daulton Varsho, Kevin Guasman, and Shane Bieber, while Max Scherzer, Yimi García and Patrick Corbin are also set to be free agents. 
Gausman is the Blue Jays’ most valuable trade deadline piece, as both Springer and Varsho have regressed significantly. If they looked anything like they did in 2025, the Blue Jays likely aren’t in this mess.
When the Blue Jays sold in 2024, most expiring contracts were shipped off, so expect the same type of thing before August 3rd’s trade deadline. However, the players with the most trade value on the Jays are those with term. Two years ago, they showed they aren’t opposed to moving players under contract for at least two years if the right deal was there, trading both Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Nate Pearson.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Dylan Cease, and Kazuma Okamoto are all untouchable. It seems unlikely they’ll trade a young player as well, while trading Alejandro Kirk with his value so low wouldn’t be wise.
That said, the Blue Jays should be open to trading Andrés Giménez, Ernie Clement, Jesús Sánchez, Myles Straw, Jeff Hoffman, Tyler Rogers, and even Louis Varland if the right deal comes along.

What do the Yankees need and who is a fit

According to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch, the Yankees are likely to target a catcher and some relievers. It seems unlikely that the Blue Jays part with Kirk or Brandon Valenzuela, so if the two teams are to make a trade, it’d be for one or more of the Blue Jays’ relievers.
Of the three aforementioned relievers, Hoffman, Varland, and Rogers, Hoffman is the most likely candidate to be traded as he is set to become a free agent following the 2027 season. While his 4.46 ERA isn’t great, Hoffman has a 2.63 ERA with a 35.1 K%. He’s been incredibly unlucky this season, and the Yankees have seen him at his best.
This season, Rogers has a 1.61 ERA and 2.95 FIP in 44.2 innings of work, but is under contract until at least the conclusion of the 2028 season, with a vesting option for the 2029 season. Rogers can help the Blue Jays in 2027 and beyond, so it’s unclear if they’d even part with him.
That’s also the case with Varland, who is statistically the best closer in the American League this season. Over 50 innings of work, Varland has a 1.08 ERA and 1.42 FIP, and is a perfect 20 for 20 in save opportunities. The Jays wouldn’t part with him unless they get a haul, and even then, they may not pull the trigger on that trade.
As for the three players on expiring contracts who are likely to be traded, Springer is the least likely to find his way on the Yankees. As it stands, Ben Rice has mainly served as their designated hitter, and that’s with both Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge out of the lineup since the spring.
Centre field is locked down by Trent Grisham, while left field is locked down by Cody Bellinger. Maybe there’s a spot for Varsho in right field, but the Yankees have a bunch of left-handed batting outfielders, so Sánchez isn’t an option either.
Even with Max Fried and Carlos Rodón down, the Yankees have a solid rotation. Gerrit Cole and Cam Schlittler spearhead it, but Ryan Weathers and Will Warren each have a rotation above 4, although so does Gausman. Still, he’s a veteran starter who can easily slot in as their fourth starter depending on injuries.
Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Blue Jays Nation, Oilersnation, and FlamesNation. She can be followed on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.
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