Blue Jays: If MLB had expansion draft, who would the Jays protect?

The likely choices

Justin Smoak

I probably could have included Smoak in the above section, but there’s nothing wrong with falling in a category just below the names already mentioned.

The biggest surprise of the 2017 season has 20 home runs already, matching a career high (and we’re only in June!), and is signed through next season, with an option for six million for 2019. Assuming he doesn’t regress back to the Smoak we used to know, the option could be exercised yesterday.

Kevin Pillar

Pillar may have cooled off quite a bit since his red-hot beginning to the season, but he’s still one of the more valuable players on the roster, especially when you consider his contract. He is making just $555,000 this season, and won’t be a free agent until 2021, lining him up with guys like Stroman and Sanchez as well.

“Superman” will hit arbitration for the first time next year, but he will still be a bargain relative to his production. Factor that in with the years of club control, and he’s a no brainer.

Getting tougher

J.A. Happ

Aaron Sanchez and Marcus Stroman are obvious choices to protect because of their youth, contract control, and talent. When it comes to the veterans on the staff, it gets a lot more difficult.

I chose to go with J.A. Happ over Marco Estrada, mostly because of the extra year of club control. Estrada will be a free agent at the conclusion of this season, while Happ has a year remaining on his contract. Injuries have stunted his production so far this season, but the man went 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA last season.

Devon Travis

I debated this one a lot, but I can’t ignore Travis’ talent, especially when you factor in the club control and contract cost as well. It’s indisputable that he’s been an injury problem for the Blue Jays throughout his tenure, but at just 26 years old, I would gamble on him as an asset worth protecting. I feel like an expansion team would gobble him up in a moment’s notice, but maybe I’m wrong.