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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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TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 22: Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a three-run home run in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on August 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – AUGUST 22: Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a three-run home run in the eighth inning during MLB game action against the Baltimore Orioles at Rogers Centre on August 22, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Devon Travis

I’m fully away that the Blue Jays have a potential logjam in their infield, especially up the middle, and that Devon Travis could be a potential trade piece. The presence of other options like Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Brandon Drury, Aledmys Diaz, Yangervis Solarte (if he’s not dealt himself), and more talent in the minor league system, make it possible that Travis is expendable.

That said, he’s still a potentially valuable piece, even if some of the shine from a couple seasons ago has worn off. He hit .304/.361/.498 in 62 games as a rookie in 2015, and hit .300/.332/.454 in 101 games the following season. He looked like the second baseman of the future, but like the previous two players mentioned above, he’s struggled with extensive injuries since arriving in the big leagues.

He was able to avoid the disabled list altogether in 2018, but unfortunately it didn’t come with a return to form for the 27 year old. He managed to play in 103 games in the big leagues and several more during a stint in the minors early in the season, but slashed just .232/.275/.381 in 357 at bats. My guess is that both Travis and the Blue Jays are hoping he can build on a healthy season and get back to being the dangerous hitter he was in his first two seasons in Toronto.

The problem, of course, may be in finding him regular playing time next season. I wouldn’t suggest that the Blue Jays sacrifice Gurriel Jr’s playing in order to raise Travis’ trade value, but I wouldn’t mind seeing them both on the field together, especially early in the year. I’m among those that believe that Gurriel will be a quality big league shortstop with enough experience, which would open up more playing time at second for Travis.

I’ll understand if the Blue Jays ultimately move on this season, especially when you compare Travis’ situation to Stroman or Sanchez. However, it feels like the Blue Jays would be giving up on an asset at a lower value than he’s truly worth. Ideally he could come into the season and hit .300 in the first half, peaking the interest of teams around the league that could use some help at second base.

It remains to be seen if he’ll get that opportunity back in Toronto again in 2019, but my hope is that’s exactly how it plays out.

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