Blue Jays: Which top prospects could the team trade?

When the Toronto Blue Jays entered the 2021 MLB season, both the fans and the organization were expecting the team to be a serious playoff contender. Even after a disappointing start to the season, that expectation has not changed.

However, it is clear that there are many flaws to this roster that needs to be addressed. At a minimum, the bullpen needs two or three more reliable relievers and the rotation needs another major upgrade. The problem is, midseason trades come at a significant price and the Blue Jays have been reluctant to include their top prospects in trade talks.

Jays Journal understands that over the past year, when the Jays’ were looking to upgrade the roster via trade, opposing teams inquired about the availabilities of numerous top prospects, including Austin Martin, Alejandro Kirk, and Jordan Groshans.

The Toronto Blue Jays have not met expectations so far this season, with the team possibly looking to deal from within their prospect capital to secure a high-profile player to bolster the team for a playoff run.

Though the team was reluctant to include the three players in any trade talks, Jays Journal understands that Jordan Groshans is the most likely candidate of the three to be moved at the right price. One of the top infield prospects in the minor leagues, Groshans would carry enough prospect pedigree to at least initiate negotiations for any available player at the trade deadline.

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Who could the Blue Jays target at the deadline?

Fortunately for Toronto, there are plenty of names in this upcoming trade season that should be

made available by their respective teams. Max Scherzer, José Berríos, Kyle Gibson, and Germán Márquez are just a few examples of starters pitching for struggling teams. Though all four players would come with a significant price tag, the Blue Jays have more than enough prospect capital to complete a deal.

The organization is in a unique position right now. The team is just entering its competitive years, but also risks wasting the primes of Hyun-Jin Ryu and George Springer, two players signed to lucrative contracts.

Up to this point, the Blue Jays have been overly cautious in spending (significant) prospect capital to acquire big league talent. If the right deal is available this deadline to acquire another premier major league player, perhaps the organization should take the risk this time.

After all, we all know what happened in the summer of 2015.