Gauging Blue Jays' potential interest in the trade candidates not named Tarik Skubal

While the baseball world is fixated on the potential availability of Tarik Skubal, the Toronto Blue Jays should be looking elsewhere on the trade market to address roster needs that can improve their team for the 2026 season. With the division remaining as competitive as ever, general manager Ross Atkins and the front office have a few big named options that they could try and acquire.

However, there are some players that are in the middle-tier of talent that would fit in well with the rest of their roster that they should target. Based on recent reports, are some names that the Blue Jays might gauge interest in not named Skubal.

Gauging Blue Jays' potential interest in the trade candidates not named Tarik Skubal

Yandy Diaz:

First up, Tampa Bay Rays’ Yandy Diaz. On paper, he makes the most sense for the Blue Jays to try and acquire. He has shown over his career that he can produce offensively, and will mainly slot into the lineup as the DH. However, he can play 1B, but it isn’t likely unless Vladdy Guerrero is getting a day off, or DHing. He can also play across the diamond at the hot corner. Which would give the Blue Jays a ton of options within the infield while adding 25+ home runs to the lineup.

Diaz has excellent bat-to-ball skills and gets on base at a high rate, which is exactly what Toronto needs. Especially after losing Bo Bitchette this past offseason, who was one of the best hitters in the entire MLB. The Blue Jays can pair Diaz with Guerrero as a new one-two punch at the top of the order, which can provide power and very smart hitting.

Ryan Mountcastle:

Next up, Ryan Mountcastle is a name Blue Jays fans know well. He’s had success against Toronto pitching in the past with the Baltimore Orioles. With rumour suggesting that Baltimore could be open to moving him this is a bat that the Blue Jays would be smart to acquire.

Especially, when you consider the success he's had at the Rogers Center over his career  It would be wise to incorporate that into the lineup. The only downfall to Mountcastle is that he is another right-handed bat. Ideally, Toronto would be looking to acquire a left-handed power bat, but power is power. 

Now, when it comes to Mountcastle, the hardest part about him is his positional fit. He only plays 1B and DH. Which essentially would mean he and Guerrero would be rotating, if the Blue Jays wanted him in the lineup defensively. It would also force them to be limited on the DH front because they’d want Mountcastle’s bat in the lineup as often as possible.

Nico Hoerner: 

Lastly, Nico Hoerner of the Chicago Cubs is the most likely option on this list. He fits the style of play and would be a direct replacement for Bichette, defensively. With the signing of Alex Bregman and Danby Swanson already there, the Cubs’ infield is filled.

This means they will likely want to offload Hoerner and Toronto should be the front runner. It may cost a someone like Anthony Santander, but it would allow Ernie Clement to remain at third base (in rotation with Okamoto) and Addison Barger in the outfield. 

Additionally, the combination of Hoerner and Andrés Gimenez in the middle infield, would put them in a league of their own. It would be by far the best middle infield combination in the league and everyone knows defense wins championships. But more importantly, it’s how the Blue Jays play baseball. Which as everyone saw last season, sent them to the World Series where they were one out away from winning it.