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Blue Jays: Several vets that shouldn’t be traded at lowest value

By Chris Henderson

BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Aaron Sanchez #41 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on September 12, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - SEPTEMBER 12: Aaron Sanchez #41 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Fenway Park on September 12, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts.(Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 31: Aaron Sanchez #41 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 31, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 31: Aaron Sanchez #41 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the first inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on August 31, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Aaron Sanchez

If we’re going to talk about Marcus Stroman in this light, then it only makes sense to follow him with the other talented, yet disappointing starter remaining in the Blue Jays rotation.

Sanchez was supposed to be headed for stardom, and looked like he was well on his way when he was the American League ERA title in 2016. It appeared that the Blue Jays had the potential for two young, burgeoning aces, but it hasn’t exactly worked out that way. Since that dominant year, Sanchez’s career has been a bit of a disaster.

Unfortunately he’s only managed to start a combined 28 games in the last two seasons, and that was with 20 appearances in 2018. He was slightly ahead of Stroman with 105 innings pitched, but otherwise it was another season of frustrating for the former first round pick. At times it looked like he was just starting to put everything back together again, and then the dreaded injury bug would pop up, including an injury sustained from a falling suitcase. This guy just can’t catch a break with his health.

Right now Sanchez would be worth a fraction of his potential value on the trade market, and like Stroman it would make a lot more sense to see if he can turn things around and stay healthy before ever entertaining a trade. He’s another candidate that could interest rival GM’s on a buy low proposition, but he would be a very hard guy to bank on right now, and that would definitely be reflected in any potential trade return, even with two years of contract control remaining as well.

The best case scenario for Sanchez and the Blue Jays would be for him to go through 2019 without worrying about trades, future contracts, or anything else other than staying healthy for the entire season. Even his performance is secondary to being able to stay on the mound at this point, both for the Blue Jays’ immediate needs next season, and for Sanchez’s potential career arc.

He will get a chance to help lead a young staff next season, and hopefully with two frustrating seasons in the rearview mirror he’ll be able to turn a corner. Until then though, trading him makes pretty much zero sense.

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