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Toronto Blue Jays: Ideas and Trade Partners for Randal Grichuk

By Frank Pirillo

Sep 3, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) walks in the dugout prior to the start of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2021; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays center fielder Randal Grichuk (15) walks in the dugout prior to the start of a game against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 7, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas (9) hits an RBI single against the Chicago Cubs during the eight inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 7, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Cincinnati Reds second baseman Mike Moustakas (9) hits an RBI single against the Chicago Cubs during the eight inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /

Cincinnati Reds

The Reds have been rumoured to be sellers this off-season and can go many ways about it as they have both attractable pitching and contracts they could look to move.  Whether they look to tie those players together to attract a partner or conduct trades separately remains to be seen.

They have two contracts that come to mind that they may be looking to move.  Eugenio Suarez, 30, is guaranteed ~$36-mil over the next three years including his $2-mil 4th year buyout, and Mike Moustakas, 33, is guaranteed $34-mil over the next two years including his $4-mil 3rd year buyout.

We have no idea what the Reds’ intentions are, and even when a team looks to shed payroll or go through a minor rebuild, they are still a big league team and one would hope they would be interested in fielding a competitive roster.  With the departure of Nick Castellanos – who opted out of his contract – the Reds could look to replace that bat.  While Grichuk is no Castellanos, he could certainly fill that void for a corner OF with pop.

Both Suarez and Moustakas seem appealing as they both play 3B.  The former is a RH hitter who strikes out a lot but provides the stereotypical needed 3B power – three seasons of 30+ HR, including 49 in 2019 – while the latter is a World Series champion who brings some power of his own with 71 HR from 2018-2020, along with a 110 OPS+ during that duration, all the while balancing the lineup with his LH bat.

If the Blue Jays and Reds have mutual interest in such a trade, I feel this one could consist more along the lines of a multi-player deal with more pieces going in both directions.  However this would play out, such move would require the Jays to spend more of their available funds and dedicating to the hot corner for multiple years (depending on the player and if option is picked up).  Maybe by working out a deal that includes one of the Reds’ SP could entice the financial commitment in this scenario by solving multiple off-season needs.

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