4 high-risk, high-reward moves Blue Jays could make to reset current trajectory

The Toronto Blue Jays have focused on bold free agent moves this offseason. While big free agent swings could pay off, championship teams often emerge by taking daring steps that shift the balance of power in creative ways.

These high-risk, high reward moves could be the difference between the Jays coming up short and taking the power back this offseason, especially after luring Anthony Santander on Monday afternoon.

4 bold moves Blue Jays can make to reverse offseason trends

Trade a Star to Fill Multiple Holes

The Idea: Move Bo Bichette, a high-value player at a position that almost all teams could afford to upgrade, in order to acquire a young lefty bat and a big league reliever right away.

The Risk: Bichette is a franchise favourite, and the same things that add value to a potential trade will be the reasons to keep him. A shortstop who can hit is rare in today's game and, assuming he goes back to the Bo Bichette of old, you could be trading away the best shortstop in the league for the next 10 years.

The Reward: The roster gets more balanced and less "top talent" heavy, while addressing multiple needs.

Example: Bichette to the Detroit Tigers for Beau Brieske and Max Clark.

Pursue High Risk/Reward Players

The Idea: Hear me out: the last time the Blue Jays broke the playoff wall they currently are behind again was when they brought in José Bautista and turned him into a monster. Take the leap and do it again. There are some sneaky ideas out there already, but here's some more.

The Risk: You can easily give up too much, bring in someone who doesn't actually develop into something, and only make things worse. At present time, such a risk would rhyme with Smaulton Smarsho. Betting on uncertain performances can just create new gaps.

The Reward: You get talent that is undervalued at a significant discount.

Example: Sign Kyle Gibson, like the Guardians might, and maybe you have a absolute stud to fill that spot in the rotation. Then go get Matt Duffy or Randall Grichuk to see what they can do for you.

Bring In Someone Controversial

The Idea: Signing someone who has a high upside alongside complicating factors, making them less attractive than they would be otherwise.

The Risk: This could easily alienate fans and still not pay off. The potential for this to be a lose/lose is high.

The Reward: Get a game-changer at a discount if they crush it, unburdened by previous associations. In order to make such an addition, the Jays would have to be confident in the player changing for the better or earning a bad rap unnecessarily, though.

Example: Acquire Andrew Benintendi for cash, or low level prospects. While not exactly controversial, his interviews during the White Sox' historically bad season last year weren't exactly what a team wants. He's currently viewed as an albatross. Maybe the Jays can change that perception.

Farm First/International Approach

The Idea: While I hate to admit it, this is probably the smartest move at this stage. It's time to rebuild the horrible farm system, use the newly acquired international spending for something good, and have a solid foundation instead of a rocky one.

The Risk: This is admitting defeat, it will absolutely ravage the fans' emotions, and it's throwing in the towel on Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero, and probably even some of the guys younger than them.

The Reward: Demonstration of great self awareness is an important skill for us all. This would be the smart move of knowing your chances of beating the Dodgers, Yankees, Padres, Braves, Orioles (should I go on?) in the next few years aren't great. It positions the team to take advantage of an older Ohtani, Judge, etc and maybe even compete earlier, if advanced analytics serves them well with the young players acquired. Not to mention that Toronto could be the top international drawing team in the league if they play their cards right.

Example: Sell out for the next Paulino Santana, Adolfo Sanchez, or Leodalis De Vries.

Think about how aggressive the Braves got in signing Ronald Acuña Jr., or even the Blue Jays' pursuit of Vladdy. It's time to be a leader everywhere that isn't North America and grab two or three of the top 10 international prospects year over year. Such a thing would mean trading Guerrero and Bichette (and probably Springer, Kirk, most pitchers, etc) before this year's trade deadline. It's less likely after Santander's arrival, but there's a way to balance both ambitions.

The New Blue Jay Way

These strategies are all viable for the Blue Jays at this time and, likely, the fans will just be happy to hear something concrete as a plan at this point. One thing is for sure that more mediocre results, continuing with a terrible farm system, or lack of trades to bring talent won't be accepted. So you missed out on some big name free agents....dust yourself off, set a new heading, and commit.