Why Trading Jose Bautista Is Not Happening

April 14, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Toronto Blue Jays third basemen Jose Bautista (19) at bat against the Kansas City Royals during the third inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Today on Baseball Central Dirk Hayhurst suggested that it was time for the Toronto Blue Jays to cut bait with face of the franchise Jose Bautista. Hayhurst went on and insinuated that the Blue Jays season was over, and that fans should give up.

My first reaction: This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. My second reaction: Hayhurst has been spending way too much time hanging around Gregg Zaun for his own good.

The fact that this is being suggested, and I’ve felt compelled to write a post countering the notion is mind-blowing, but here we are and here we go!

The Toronto Blue Jays increased their payroll by 43% this offseason, not only topping $100-million for the first time in franchise history, but blowing by that number to a cool $125-million. This increased buzz and fan interest throughout Toronto to levels unseen since the early ‘90s. Do you really think they’re going to flush that goodwill down the toilet and wave a white flag on the season? Trading Jose Bautista would cause irreparable harm to the relationship between the team and fans. Just ask our friend Jeffrey Loria how fun it is to attract people to the ball park after you’ve lied to and alienated them.

I guess I understand the logic that can be used to construct a scenario where the Blue Jays could trade Joey Bats. If they were a truly bad team, and had no chance of contending then trading an aging slugger on a great contract that would fetch a bounty of prospects, to help replenish our recently depleted system would make perfect sense.

But the thing is the Blue Jays have talent. They have R.A. Dickey, Josh Johnson, Brandon Morrow, Edwin Encarnacion, Melky Cabrera, Jose f’n REYES. This is a good team, it might even be a playoff team. They just have too much talent to not figure this out. There is no way 23 games into a season any real conclusions can be drawn about this team, nor can any decisions be made about the future of this roster. Should Alex Anthopolous explore potential trades to make this team better? ABSOLUTELY. Should he/is he considering trading any of his star players for prospects and giving up on this season? No chance.

I’ve read Dirk Hayhurst’s books, and thoroughly enjoyed them. I loved his work during spring training beside Mike Wilner, he provided some great insight and was fun to listen to. Generally I’ve liked listening to his opinion on the Blue Jays and rationale behind it. This suggestion however is ludicrous. The only explanation for this insanity is Gregg Zaun somehow contaminated the once rational Hayhurst with whatever makes him so unbearable. Either that or he’s just trolling, and if so touché , you got almost 500 words out of me.