Toronto Blue Jays: Looking at the Bullpen’s Trade Value

The Toronto Blue Jays are embarking on their first full rebuild in recent memory, and most people do not expect them to contend in 2019. If they do not contend, there should be a good amount of trades to happen as the season wears on, and Blue Jays management will look to trade for valuable prospects to bolster future rosters.

There is a likely scenario where the Blue Jays are movers of pitching talent as the season 2019 season wears on. Recent years have shown that Mark Shapiro and Ross Atkins are not shying away from dealing bullpen arms to teams for prospect returns. Last year we saw it happen when John Axford was traded to the L.A. Dodgers, Aaron Loup was shipped to Philadelphia, and of course, Roberto Osuna ended up in Houston with the Astros.

The Blue Jays are well set up to try this strategy out again in 2019, and it’s entirely possible they continue to shop in the reliever market, even for this specific reason. We’ve even made a few arguments here at Jays Journal that they should continue to bolster the bullpen, especially given the late and slow moving free agent market that still has some reasonably talented arms.

However, even if they don’t bring in any other established big leaguers to win the bullpen, here’s a look at some of the current Toronto Blue Jays bullpen’s pitchers, and their trade prospects for the upcoming season.

David Phelps (32) RHP

Trade Potential: MODERATE

Contract: 2.5 Million (Club option 2020)

2018: Tommy John surgery (Marlins/Mariners 3.40 era in 2017)

• It’s uncertain if David Phelps will be ready for opening day, but in a Toronto Blue Jays season of rebuilding it may not matter. Phelps did not play at all in 2018 after having Tommy John surgery, and I doubt if the Blue Jays will rush him back this season. If he can return to form and replicate his 3.40ERA from 2017, then there is a strong chance he could play himself into a trade. His contract is very appealing being both low in dollar amount with a club option for 2020.

Joe Biagini (28) RHP

Trade Potential: LOW

Contract: One year 900,000 (Free agent 2022)

2018: 6.00ERA in 72 IP. -0.4 WAR

• Joe Biagini is a whole two years removed from his 3.72 ERA now. His attempt at becoming a starter has been finally laid to rest, and he will be exclusively seen out of the bullpen in 2019. His current trade potential is low, due mostly to the lackluster play the last two seasons. If Biagini can somehow re-create some of that magic from 2016, and pitch well out of the bullpen in 2019, then he would become a viable trade option.

Clayton Richard (35) LHP

Trade Potential: HIGH

Contract: Three million (Final year)

2018: 5.33ERA in 158.2IP. -1.2WAR

• Clayton Richard has been a starter for most of his career, but after a tough 2018 he could make his way to the bullpen depending how some things shake out. If Richard were to pitch poorly in spring training, or Sean Reid-Foley pitches really well, the veteran could be on the outs for the starting rotation. Given that Richard is a lefty and the Blue Jays only have one other bullpen lefty in Tim Mayza, he could be converted to the bullpen early, and if he succeeds there then potentially traded as he is in his final year of his contract.

Ken Giles (27) RHP

Trade Potential: VERY HIGH

Contract: 6.3 Million (Free agent 2021)

2018: 4.65ERA in 50.1IP. 0.1WAR 26SV

• Ken Giles had a good amount of success in 2018 once reaching the Blue Jays. He had 14 saves and a 4.12 ERA while playing for Toronto. Giles is very likely to be traded, and has even recently been linked to trade discussions. He does not fit the Blue Jays current timeline as his contract runs out after next season, and could be very appealing to rival GM’s with excellent numbers from 2017 (2.39ERA in 62.2IP 34SV) Look for the hard throwing closer to be dealt fairly early on this season, and it’s still possible that he goes elsewhere before the year begins.

Tim Mayza (26) LHP

Trade Potential: LOW

Contract: 545,000 (Free Agent 2024)

2018: 3.28 ERA in 35.2 IP. 0.8WAR

• Tim Mayza ended the 2018 season with a 18 game scoreless inning streak. He was arguably the best Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher later in the season. The potential for him to be traded is low, as he has five years of control left at a very team friendly rate, while also being the only locked in left-handed pitcher in the Blue Jays bullpen. It should be noted though that Dominic Leone was also 26 when he was traded to St Louis in 2018, and he had four years of control left on his contract, so while the chance of Mayza being traded is very low, this front office has shown the willingness to move any bullpen arms if the price is right.