3 outside-the-box trade ideas for the Blue Jays this offseason

The 2026 World Series matchup between the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays is proof that great MLB teams aren’t built exclusively in free agency. Their rosters were predominantly built through excellent drafting and shrewd trades. 

While it’s easy to spot proven players on expiring contracts as trade targets, the best front offices get more creative when orchestrating deals—and the Toronto Blue Jays should do the same this winter.

Who could the Blue Jays trade for this offseason that no one else is thinking of?

Zack Gelof, UTIL - Athletics

Gelof quietly had a great season for the Athletics in 2026, hitting 22 home runs with a .796 OPS (116 OPS+) and 16 stolen bases. He finally made good on the potential he showed as a rookie after struggling in 2024 and missing most of 2025 due to injuries. 

He came up as a second baseman but predominantly played third base this year while also appearing at each of the three outfield positions. That makes him a great fit on the Blue Jays considering their needs and how they love defensive versatility. 

Would the Athletics trade the 27-year-old considering he’s arbitration-eligible and still inexpensive? Maybe if a trade netted them some starting pitching, which they desperately need. The Blue Jays could float a package headlined by one of their younger pitching prospects.

Ezequiel Tovar, SS - Colorado Rockies

First, let’s address the elephant in the room: Tovar was terrible in 2026. He posted a .617 OPS across a full season playing half his games at Coors Field. He was better, albeit not by much, the year before that, too. So why would the Blue Jays want him? 

In 2024, Tovar led the National League with 45 doubles. He also hit 26 home runs that year to go along with 78 RBI and a .763 OPS. More impressive, however, was that he ranked in the 98th percentile with 15 outs above average at shortstop that year. 

There is a good player somewhere inside Tovar. While his swing-and-miss tendencies are extremely concerning, it’s not hard to envision him tapping back into his power in a better environment. He’s worth a flyer for a low-level prospect. 

Andrew Abbott, SP - Cincinnati Reds

Abbott also wasn’t great in 2026, recording a career-worst 4.61 ERA and 1.452 WHIP across 32 starts for the Reds. He was little more than a reliable source of mediocre innings—and now he’s an intriguing buy-low opportunity for a savvy team. 

The left-hander was fantastic in 2025 en route to his first All-Star appearance. He posted an ERA below 4.00 each of the two seasons prior to that one, too. While his stuff hardly jumps off the page, he has shown himself capable of being a solid number three or four. 

The pitching-starved Reds probably wouldn’t want to give him up, but they might also recognize they’re never going to get the best out of a flyball pitcher like Abbott in Great American Ballpark. That could open the door for a possible trade between these teams. 

The Blue Jays don’t have to choose between making a splash and standing still. Gelof, Tovar and Abbott represent three different ways to get creative: add versatility, bet on a rebound or give a starter a better setting to succeed. None is a sure thing, and the asking price would have to make sense. But if the Blue Jays are looking for some value in places others aren't this is a good place to start.

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