Toronto Blue Jays: Three players the team could use as trade bait

Orelvis Martinez

Signed by the Blue Jays during the 2018 international prospect signing window, infielder Orelvis Martinez currently sits as the 7th ranked prospect in the Toronto Blue Jays organization.

In 2019, Martinez played 40 games for the Rookie League Gulf Coast Blue Jays, slashing .275/.352/.549 with five triples, seven home runs, and 32 RBI’s against pitchers roughly 2-3 years older than himself. In 2020, Martinez did not get a chance to really play as the MiLB was shut down and he was not added to the Blue Jays alternative training site/60 man player pool until mid-September.

Known for his ability to hit the ball and his speed on the base paths, Martinez spent most of his time at shortstop, but also split some games at third base throughout the season. He is still going to progress and grow into his athletic frame, but he currently isn’t estimated to potentially reach the MLB until 2023.

The reason Martinez finds himself on this list is not because of his lack of skill or his potential, but because of the Blue Jays current roster and prospect situation. As of right now, the Blue Jays have Bo Bichette entrenched at shortstop and there are two other 3B/SS prospects ahead of Martinez on the Blue Jays prospect rankings in Austin Martin and Jordan Groshans, both of whom are projected to reach the majors before the Dominican native. To make matters more complicated is the Blue Jays competitiveness in free agency this off-season, in that they may acquire a veteran infielder(s) which could also push Martinez and possibly even Groshans to the trade block.

Compared to the other two players in this article, Martinez would most likely bring back the biggest package/player from other teams, but also cause the biggest riff for Blue Jays fans who follow the organization’s farm system. With his age and raw potential, Martinez could blossom into a superstar and the Blue Jays could be kicking themselves down the line for trading him away.

On the flip side, the Blue Jays could use Martinez (plus others) to trade for veteran players who could help push the Blue Jays into a competitive postseason bound team for the foreseeable future. High risk-high reward.