Blue Jays: Five questions fans are asking with spring games approaching

Who will find themselves on the trade block?

It’s no secret that the Jays are not making a strong attempt to contend in 2019. The front office moved several veterans before last season’s trade deadline in order to better prepare themselves for when their top prospects make the jump to the majors. Without a doubt we will see much of the same this year. Established players including Smoak, Morales and Pillar along with relievers Ken Giles and Ryan Tepera seem to be the most likely candidates to be moved.

First baseman Rowdy Tellez seems to be ready for a chance at a regular starting job and it would be wise to make room for him at some point by moving one or both of Smoak and Morales. As the Jays’ most productive offensive player in each of the last two seasons, Smoak likely holds the most value of any of the older members of the team. He is also in the final year of his contract. All of these factors combined seem to point to Smoak being moved at some point this season.

While most teams likely to be in playoff contention are relatively set at first base, there are a few teams who could come calling for the veteran slugger. The Astros, Indians, Rockies and Yankees make sense as potential destinations.

One of the x-factors of this Jays season will be whether or not the team decides to move either of Aaron Sanchez or Marcus Stroman. Both right-handers are just entering what should be the prime of their careers, and it would definitely take a major haul for the team to pull the trigger on a deal of this magnitude. If one or both is traded, the starting rotation would be set back significantly; it would signal that the front office is confident in the likes of Ryan Borucki, Sean Reid-Foley, Nate Pearson and T.J. Zeuch to lead the team’s pitching staff of the future.