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Yusei Kikuchi and Danny Jansen are reportedly on the trading block, among others
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Photo credit: © John E. Sokolowski - USA Today
Ryley Delaney
Jun 30, 2024, 13:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 30, 2024, 12:59 EDT
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It appears that the Blue Jays front office has a plan for the team’s future.
In Bob Nightengale’s latest for USA Today, he reported that Yusei Kikuchi, Danny Jansen, Yimi García, Justin Turner, and Kevin Kiermaier will be on the trade block. However, the Jays plan to keep Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette “for one last run”, which means it’s pretty counterintuitive to place five players on the trading block.
All five of those players have one thing in common, they are set to become free agents at the end of the season. Yusei Kikuchi is in the final year of his three-year, $36 million deal and has a 4.18 ERA and a 3.53 FIP in 88.1 innings pitched with a 24.8 K% and a 5.6 BB%. Of the five players, Kikuchi may net the largest haul.
Danny Jansen had a hot start to his season, but has slowly faded to be a slightly-above-average hitter. This season, the catcher is slashing .231/.317/.406 with five homers in 183 plate appearances for a 107 wRC+, along with tremendous blocking at the plate to give him a 1.1 fWAR+.
Justin Turner has had a weird season. In March and April, the 39-year-old slashed .298/.376/.511 with four homers in 109 plate appearances for a 151 wRC+. He cooled off in May though, slashing .111/.210/.139 for an 8 wRC+, before having his best season to date in June, slashing .333/.470/.455 with a homer in 83 plate appearances.
Yimi García is the team’s best reliever in 2024, posting a 2.57 ERA and a 2.87 FIP in 28 innings pitched, along with a career-best 34.6 K% along with a 6.5 BB%. Sadly, he’s on the 15-day Injured List and had a rough go of things shortly before the injury. Still, he could fetch a nice haul.
There is a market for 34-year-old Kevin Kiermaier, believe it or not. It’s been a rough season with the bat, as the centrefielder is slashing .196/.241/.291 with two homers in 162 plate appearances for a 51 wRC+. However, he’s been terrific defensively as he has four Defensive Runs Saved and 6 Outs Above Average in 408 innings in the field.
It’s pretty clear that the Blue Jays intend to retool, rather than rebuild. The team’s reluctance to trade Guerrero Jr. and Bichette at this season’s deadline means that they’ll likely look to trade pending free agents for MLB-ready prospects to compete in 2025.
Either way, it’ll be an exciting trade deadline for the Blue Jays.
As always, you can follow me on Twitter @Ryley_L_D.

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