Blue Jays: Big names that could get traded this offseason

TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 8: President and CEO Mark Shapiro of the Toronto Blue Jays with his daughter Sierra and general manager Ross Atkins on the field before the start of MLB game action against the Boston Red Sox on April 8, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, CANADA - APRIL 8: President and CEO Mark Shapiro of the Toronto Blue Jays with his daughter Sierra and general manager Ross Atkins on the field before the start of MLB game action against the Boston Red Sox on April 8, 2016 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JUNE 30: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on June 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JUNE 30: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays celebrates after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Detroit Tigers at Rogers Centre on June 30, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Justin Smoak

There haven’t been rumors of a potential trade involving 2017 All-Star Justin Smoak but he seems like a strong candidate to be moved this winter. He’s been one of the best, if not the best first baseman in the American League for the past two seasons. He’s also set to earn just $8 million in a 2019 club option which will undoubtedly be exercised and considering his production in the last two seasons, it is a very cheap contract that could be appealing for a contending club next season looking for a middle of the order bat.

It’s yet to be seen if the Blue Jays try to contend in 2019, as of now, however, it seems like 2020 and on will be the years where the Guerrero-Bichette era starts and next season will be a season that serves as a bridge between the present and the future. That said, it makes quite a lot of sense to trade a pending free agent with his value at the peak.

The problem, however, is the market for 1B/DH players isn’t very big as these type of players have lost so much value over the last years. There will surely be some interest in the 31-year-old first baseman but the offers might not be very valuable.