4 nightmare scenarios for the Blue Jays at the 2025 trade deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays started the season 14-16 through April, but a hot May (16-12) changed the trajectory of their hopes for 2025. The team is 8-5 in June, and with the New York Yankees recent slide (3-7 over the last 10 games), the Blue Jays are only three games back of the AL East lead following games on June 17.  

With the sudden surge, the Blue Jays approach to the trade deadline will likely be as buyers, but there's still a month until the deadline. So, let's have a little fun preparing ourselves for worst-case scenarios that very likely won't happen but aren't out of the realm of possibility.

4 nightmare scenarios for the Blue Jays at the 2025 trade deadline

1. New York Yankees acquire Paul Skenes

Let's begin with a bang. Paul Skenes is a once-in-a-generation talent who is being wasted away on the Pittsburgh Pirates. He has the lowest ERA through 37 games since 1920. He's also the first pitcher in MLB history to have an ERA less than 1.80 over a 15-game stretch and have less than five wins in those starts.

The Pirates aren't built to win this season or in the near future, barring a complete philosophy change. Skenes isn't arbitration-eligible until the 2027 season, and even his arbitration pay will be a massive discount from what the phenom should truly make. This means the Pirates have until the 2030 season to reap the reward for trading away Skenes.

The longer they wait, the more the Pirates risk an injury that could decrease the value they'd receive in a trade. If the Yankees acquired Skenes, they would have no issues meeting the 23-year-old's price tag, meaning the AL East would combine Skenes with an offense ranked second in OPS. Skenes would also join a rotation that already consists of Max Fried and Carlos Rodón while Gerrit Cole will also one day return to the rotation.

We Blue Jays fans don't want to see this duo when vying with the Yankees for the AL East title or for many years to come.

2. Blue Jays superstars hit the injured list at the same time

If Bo Bichette, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and George Springer all land on the injured list before the trade deadline, it would be a detriment to the season. Depending on the severity, even if the Blue Jays remain close to the Yankees, it may be time to wave the white flag.

The Blue Jays don't have the players who could replicate the stats the three superstars have produced. The trio ranks in the top four on the team in runs, doubles, home runs, runs batted in, and slugging percentage. Yes, the Blue Jays could add at the trade deadline, but it would deplete the farm system to acquire the needed production.

3. Bo Bichette remains on the Blue Jays when Ross Atkins has no intentions of extending him

There's been zero talk about whether General Manager Ross Atkins intends to extend Bichette. The team can't let the talented shortstop leave for free agency without acquiring anything. Trading away Bichette would allow the Blue Jays to gain valuable assets to make a push in the second half of the season. Since Vlad signed his new contract, he's been adamant that he wants Bichette extended as well. However, the silence is nerve-wracking for fans.

Ernie Clement could take over at shortstop even though he doesn't provide the power Bichette offers. The utility infielder is decent enough on offense (.737 OPS) to hold down the position through the rest of the season and he is crushing lefties, hitting .406 in 77 plate appearances. The Blue Jays could use Bichette to get help in the outfield and in the starting rotation if the fourth nightmare scenario occurs.

4. Anthony Santander and Daulton Varsho struggle to return from their injuries

Both Santander (shoulder) and Varsho (hamstring) landed on the 10-day injured list at the end of May. Neither has a timetable to return, but Varsho sounds more likely to return first with speculation he may be back at the end of June or early July. Santander has started to throw but has not begun hitting.

The Blue Jays expected the two outfielders to be massive contributors in the power department. In their place in the lineup, there's been a lack of power. Will Robertson, Jonatan Clase, Alan Roden, and Myles Straw have 337 plate appearances between them but only three home runs.

Even though Santander and Varsho have struggled at the plate, their production is far superior to what their replacements have shown. If a deep postseason run is going to happen, these two need to stay healthy throughout the second half of the season.