Blue Jays and Padres could find common ground in potential swap

According to Jon Morosi of Fox Sports, the Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres are currently engaged in trade talks centered around pitcher Marcus Stroman.

Although nothing appears imminent, the Padres have a stacked farm system that could conceivably entice the Blue Jays to pull the trigger on a Marcus Stroman swap. The Padres are right there with the Atlanta Braves for the top farm system in the majors and have pitching prospects the Jays surely would covet.

Ten of the Padres top fifteen prospects organizationally are hurlers with MacKenzie Gore being their top-ranked arm and second-ranked prospect. In all likelihood, Gore would not be included in a Stroman trade but the likes of Chris Paddack, Adrian Morejon, Michael Baez, Logan Allen, Luis Patino, and 1st rounder Ryan Weathers could be dangled.

The Blue Jays are attempting to stockpile young, controllable pitchers who will hit their prime when the team returns to prominence in a couple seasons.

The Friars also have Canadian Cal Quantrill ranked 11th organizationally after going 9-6 with a 4.80 earned run average in 28 starts between Double and Triple-A last season. Cal’s father Paul Quantrill pitched for the Blue Jays for six season’s between 1996 and 2001.

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Chris Paddack destroyed opposing hitters last season fanning 120 in only 90 innings of work between High-A and Double-A. Paddack concluded the campaign with a 2.10 earned run average in 17 starts.

Logan Allen is a 21-year old southpaw who spent last season between Double-A and Triple-A posting impressive numbers at both stops. Allen went 14-6 with a 2.54 earned run average 24 starts fanning 151 batters.

Jacob Nix is also a name to keep an eye on, the 22-year old was roughed up in his nine starts with the big club in 2018 but he is a legit talent. Nix made 10 minor league starts last season posting a minuscule 1.84 earned run average.

The Jays have stated all winter that they are open to trade talks about Stroman, however, would have to be overwhelmed to move the talented pitcher. If anyone has the farm system to overwhelm an opposing General Manager, it’s the Padres.

Stay tuned as this one continues to develop over the coming days.