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Blue Jays: Top five extension candidates on the current roster

By Chris Henderson

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 20: Justin Smoak #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by teammates at home plate after hitting a game-winning solo home run in the ninth inning during MLB game action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Rogers Centre on September 20, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 23: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JUNE 23: Marcus Stroman #6 of the Toronto Blue Jays pitches during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium on June 23, 2018 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

#3- Marcus Stroman

Moving into a territory of greater likelihood (at least in my mind), Marcus Stroman is the third person on my list. There are reasons why he’s an obvious extension candidate, and reasons why he was the subject of trade rumours this winter. Let’s have a look.

First of all, the ‘Stro Show’ has repeatedly expressed a desire to be a part of this team for the long term, and has mentioned his love for the city of Toronto, and even Canada. He’s posted on social media, praised the youngsters coming up, spoken up in interviews, and even tattooed the Toronto skyline on his stomach. I gather that he’s serious about wanting to stick around.

And yet, it sounded like the Blue Jays were very serious about exploring trade offers for their best starter this winter. On one hand it makes sense when they’re on the cusp of a rebuild, but Stroman’s also young enough that he could fit with the next generation. There should be plenty of payroll room when the time comes to re-up with him, and he’s probably not going to command a top-tier starter’s salary unless the next two years go really well.

There were reports that the Blue Jays front office might want to move on from his big personality, but we don’t know how much truth there were to those rumours. What we do know is that Atkins didn’t get an offer that was good enough to make a deal (at least not yet), so they weren’t desperate to get him out of the clubhouse or anything.

It’s entirely possible the Blue Jays could eventually look to turn him into additional trade prospects, just like I mentioned with Sanchez and Giles, but with someone like Stroman who wants to stick around, I think it’s worth at least exploring the idea of an extension. I imagine the front office will be paying very close attention to his health and performance in the first half, and evaluating things on a lot of levels for the long term. Hopefully that includes the idea of keeping the former first round pick around for the long haul.

Likelihood of an extension right now: 3/10

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