4 Blue Jays deals that would rival the Lakers' trade for Luka Dončić

Elly De La Cruz becomes the face of the franchise

Blue Jays receive: Elly De La Cruz
Reds receive: RHP Jose Berrios, OF Joey Loperfido, 3B Ernie Clement and RHP Trey Yesavage

Any trade involving De La Cruz would immeditely become one of the biggest trades in MLB history. De La Cruz is one of the most best young talents in the sport, and is a true unicorn of a player who is a switch-hitting, 6-foot-5 shortstop with elite speed, raw power, and defensive versatility. The idea of him in a Blue Jays uniform might seem like a pipe dream, but when you look at the needs of both teams, this trade could make a lot of sense.

Why the Blue Jays would want De La Cruz

Trading for De La Cruz would be a move that would help Toronto both in the present and future. In 2023 he showcased his dynamic skill set with 13 home runs and 35 stolen bases while finishing in the 99th percentile in sprint speed. And if that wasn't enough, he built on those numbers last year and earned an All-Star berth.

The Blue Jays need athleticism, game-changing speed, and a true superstar talent to elevate their roster. De La Cruz brings all of that and more. Imagine a left side of the infield with De La Cruz and Bichette.

De La Cruz would give the Blue Jays legitimate power-speed threat who can change a game with one swing or one stolen base. If there's a chance for you to go get a guy who could put up a 40-40 season, you do it.

Why the Reds would consider trading De La Cruz

On the surface, moving De La Cruz seems crazy, but Cincinnati has a logjam of young infielders. They already have Matt McLain, Spencer Steer, Noelvi Marte, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand all vying for infield spots. With so much depth, they could afford to trade from a position of strength to address other areas of need.

What do the Reds lack? Elite pitching and impact outfielders. Their young core is exciting, but they need more options on the mound, and their outfield is still a work in progress. A trade with Toronto could bring them exactly that, along with providing them a versatile player in Clement.

For Toronto, the move is about acquiring generational talent. Players like De La Cruz don’t come around often.

For Cincinnati, this deal accelerates their rebuild while balancing their roster. With the young infielders they already have on the roster, they aren’t losing their entire future by trading De La Cruz since they'll gain a high level starter, a young impact bat in the outfield, and two pitchers with high ceilings. Blockbuster trades don’t happen often, but when they do, they can change the course of franchises.