Blue Jays: Looking beyond dealing just the “rental” contracts

Marcus Stroman

Admittedly, this one is by far the most far fetched of the list, and I don’t think it’ll happen. That said, I think Stroman has established enough value throughout his career for there to be a ton of trade interest if he were made available.

He’ll need to get healthy and show that he’s more like the 2017 version of the ‘Stro Show than what he’s accomplished this year, but it shouldn’t be hard to convince people that he’s a top-level starter if he can have a few solid outings upon his return. He was one of the best starting pitchers in the American League last year, and at just 26 years old there’s no reason to think that he’s reached his ceiling just yet either.

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He does need to get healthy of course, something that’s been an issue for him this year. However, he should have enough time to get back to the Blue Jays before the July 31st trade deadline, and show that he’s healthy enough to help a team this year and beyond. He’s slated for a rehab start on Wednesday and hopefully will be able to join the big league club after a couple tune ups.

I definitely think Stroman could be a part of the long term picture for the Blue Jays, and he’s even expressed interest in committing to Toronto for the long term. However, this is one situation where I wonder what the Blue Jays could get in return if he were truly made available. He has two more years remaining before he’ll be a free agent and he’s bound to get more expensive, assuming he can get things right on the field and start pitching like we’ve seen him in the past. I’m not saying that you should trade anyone who is getting expensive, not at all, but sometimes you have to consider what the best ways to spend money might be. He’s also a bargain if he’s performing the way he did in 2017, so that’s something that makes a trade return even more valuable, should other GMs come calling.

If Stroman is truly interested in committing to the Blue Jays for the long term, and on a reasonable deal, then I think you have to keep both him, and Aaron Sanchez around as future building blocks. Not that either has had a great season to date, but there aren’t enough starters in the system for the Blue Jays to be trading them away unless the offer is one they can’t refuse. That said, I think there will be some big offers that come their way in July, especially if the duo can show their true colours on the mound prior to the deadline.

As I said, this is one trade I don’t expect to happen, but it also wouldn’t shock me to see Stroman in another jersey before the end of this season. The disappointing record of 2018 will give the front office the fuel it needs to build this team around the next generation (aka- Vladimir Guerrero Jr.), and Stroman is someone who may or may not fit into that description. He’s definitely young enough to be a part of that future, but it’ll ultimately come down to whether the Blue Jays think they can sign him for a figure that’s agreeable to both parties.

If they don’t think they can, don’t be surprised if trade rumours get pretty intense for the starting pitcher, or any of the other veterans I’ve mentioned. There’s almost no doubt that Donaldson, Happ, Granderson, and Estrada will be on the block, but I’d expect the Blue Jays to be one team that plenty of clubs will be circling. For what it’s worth, there is a lot of talent on this roster, despite what the numbers would say for 2018. If Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins play their cards right, this rebuild could be a lot shorter than people fear it could be, and it could include more than just the players on expiring contracts.

Next: Blue Jays injury update: Stroman, Vladdy Jr, Pearce and more