Blue Jays Trade Deadline: Learning from Past Deals

Dec 9, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Toronto Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos talks with reporters during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

The deals in 1992 and 1993 helped bring a championship to Toronto. There may or may not be parallels with this season, here. But, they do provide us with some historical context for making a playoff run and the associated cost of doing so.

Toronto Blue Jays

The Loaiza deal might be the cautionary tale that Blue Jays fans look to this July when we think about possibly giving up prospects for that pitcher who will help us make a run at the post season. It is especially interesting this year because, like in 2000, the Blue Jays may be looking to avoid going after the top level of talent available in favor of giving up fewer prospects. Instead, they may look at a B level starter and hope they can help. We’ve seen that before and the memory does not sit well.

But, what are the Blue Jays to do? They have the pieces to go all in. They may not want to part with them, but they are there. Should they choose to hold on to them, they are possibly taking a bigger risk. It very well could backfire on them. But, they could also go for a big fish like in 1992 or 1993 and get little in the way of performance from said fish. But, if it leads to a division title or (dare we think it?) a World Series, will we still be so attached to our prospects?

The Blue Jays are in an interesting position leading into the July 31st Trade Deadline. Things could go one of several different ways. And, fans are split. Some want a winner NOW. Others want to win, but do not want to part with the big prospects to do so. The Blue Jays are likely somewhere in the middle. What they do in the coming days will certainly be scrutinized. And, hindsight being what it is, we can do that. We have history to back us up. Sometimes deals work out. Sometimes they don’t.

Next: Did Blue Jays Give up Too Much for Josh Donaldson?

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