6 Blue Jays who aren’t as safe as they think with the 2025 trade deadline approaching

With the Toronto Blue Jays set to make some moves at the trade deadline, their roster going forward could look a little different when all is said and done. By bringing in some impact players to help boost the club’s chances at winning down the stretch, they could ultimately unseat certain players on their current 26-man roster. Here is a look at six of those potential trade candidates.

6 Blue Jays who aren’t as safe as they think with the 2025 trade deadline approaching 

P Mason Fluharty

With the Jays looking for some bullpen help, any additions made in that category would likely push a current reliever or two out of a spot. If that indeed comes to fruition, Mason Fluharty would unfortunately be the first casualty.

Despite starting off the year strong for Toronto, Fluharty struggled immensely during the month of June, posting a dismal 9.82 ERA, 2.18 WHIP, while giving up 12 earned runs including three home runs in just 11 innings pitched. As a result, he was optioned back to the minors in early July before being recently recalled to rejoin the club again.

With most of his fellow relievers putting up much more steady numbers in recent weeks, his grip on a spot in the bullpen will be hanging by the thread pending on any trades that involves pitching.

P Justin Bruihl 

Having struggled for much of the past couple of seasons in the big leagues, the Jays took a flyer on Justin Bruihl when they signed him to a minor league deal during Spring Training. Bruihl had been called up twice so far this season, with his second stint as a result of an injury to Paxton Schultz.

To date, the 28-year-old left-hander has compiled a decent 2.57 ERA in nine appearances. However, a 1.86 WHIP is quite worrisome and trouble could be brewing as he has given up more hits than innings pitched. Because the Jays lack some left-handed pitching in the bullpen, Bruihl may have a slightly longer leash than expected. But if they end up adding a lefty arm, then Bruihl will likely lose his place

Tommy Nance

Tommy Nance probably is one of the hard-luck Jays on the team. After coming over from the San Diego Padres in August of last season, Nance was solid for Toronto down the stretch by posting a 4.09 ERA and 1.23 WHIP in 20 appearances.

However, a less-than-stellar showing in Spring Training resulted in the 34-year-old reliever being designated for assignment and outright to Triple-A Buffalo to start the 2025 season. But with the Jays running into injury woes with their relief corps in recent weeks, Nance’s contract was selected and he is now back with the big league team. But one move at the deadline could be the end of his Jays tenure.

INF Leo Jiménez 

In addition to losing a roster spot, the Jays could also move some pieces on their big league roster in a pacakge, and Leo Jiménez is a prime candidate to fit that bill. In 76 total games with Toronto, he has managed only a .212 average, .649 OPS, along with 20 runs scored, 11 doubles, five home runs and 20 RBIs, but has played terrific defense.

At just the young age of 24, Jiménez still has time to develop and round out his game so he could be a valuable contributor somewhere, and teams could likely inquire about him at the deadline.

OF Joey Loperfido

As one of the main pieces coming back from the Yusei Kikuchi trade last season, Joey Loperfido received regular playing time down the stretch in 2024 with the Blue Jays. Despite some glimpses of his potential, Loperfido mainly struggled, hitting .197 with a .579 OPS, and just two home runs in 43 games played.

That performance, along with an underwhelming spring in 2025 led to Loperfido beginning the year with Triple-A Buffalo. He put up some solid numbers with the Bisons and was finally recalled by the Blue Jays in July and he hasn’t disappointed.

In 12 games to date, he has compiled a .324 average, .891 OPS, with two home runs and seven RBIs and had been called upon defensively late in games to help defend the lead for the Jays. Whether Loperfido was finally getting the chance to solidify his role on the team or he is in fact being potentially showcased for a trade, no one knows for sure, but the outfield is about to get crowded with Daulton Varsho’s return on the horizon. Loperfido might not be around for long in one way or another as a result.

2B Will Wagner

Will Wagner was one of the other return pieces from the Kikuchi trade, and in 24 games last season, the son of a Hall of Famer compiled a stellar .305 average, .788 OPS, along with eight runs scored, six doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs, including a team record-setting five-hit game against the Minnesota Twins on August 31.

However, Wagner has struggled so far this season with the Jays that resulted in him being optioned to the minors to get his game back on track. On the year, he has registered a .243 average, .650 OPS, 13 runs scored, seven doubles, zero home runs and just six RBIs in 36 total games played.

With Ernie Clement and Addison Barger being locked in on both sides of the ball, Wagner could be in tough to see playing time going forward with the club. As a result, the Jays could use Wagner as a valuable trade chip instead to land an impact player at the deadline.