Jays Journal
FanSided

Jeff Passan lists these 5 surprising names as Blue Jays trade bait

ESPN baseball insider suggest Blue Jays could get a haul if they sell at the deadline
ByBaron Dionis|
Philadelphia Phillies v Toronto Blue Jays
Philadelphia Phillies v Toronto Blue Jays | Mark Blinch/GettyImages

The Toronto Blue Jays are in a good position to add at the MLB Trade Deadline, but they have a handful of guys that Jeff Passan believes may get dealt from Toronto. With what the ESPN reporter is saying, maybe the Blue Jays go into the deadline with a hybrid approach as both a buyer and a seller.

That would be very bold for this team, but maybe it makes some sense. The players that he suggested trading would hurt the team in a big way, while others may really help the future of this organization. Considering a hybrid approach is a strong idea, but the Blue Jays shouldn't follow through with all of the names that Passan listed.

Jeff Passan mentions an interesting group of Blue Jays as trade bait.

Bo Bichette

Bo
Jun 5, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette (11) gets congratulated after hitting a two run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images | John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Blue Jays appear intent on resigning Bo Bichette to a long term deal, which makes trading him at the deadline an odd choice. He is finally returning to his All-Star form and has been a staple in Toronto's lineup. Moving on from him for a couple of non top-100 prospects while in second or third place in the division would be a mistake, but if they fall below .500, maybe trading him makes sense. In the second week of June, Toronto is currently six games above .500, so they must keep their shortstop who has been performing at an above league average rate.

Chris Bassitt

Bassit
May 25, 2025; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (40) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Chris Bassitt is another interesting trade candidate as he will be a free agent after the season, yet he has been arguably the best arm in the rotation. Similarly to Bichette, if Toronto plans on keeping him around next season and longer, trading him would be counterintuitive to those plans. Bassitt could net a better return than Bichette considering pitching is usually at a premium at the deadline, but still Bassitt's effectiveness as a starter has been great and it would be a mistake to sell him off in the middle of the playoff race.

Kevin Gausman

Gausma
May 26, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) gets ready to throw a pitch during the sixth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images | Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

Kevin Gausman is another starter that could be on the block, but just like Bassitt, the Blue Jays couldn't replace his production in 2025. Gausman still has a year left on his contract after 2025, so he isn't even a rental. Moving on from these two foundations to the rotation would really hurt Toronto and signing free agents last offseason was hard for the Blue Jays. Risking that again after the 2025 season may be a mistake.

Yariel Rodriguez

Rodrigue
May 8, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Yariel Rodriguez (29) reacts in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The bullpen as a unit this season has been somewhat shaky and at the beginning of the season, Yariel Rodriguez was part of the problem. Now he is on an impressive 16.2 scoreless inning streak and has become an important high leverage reliever for the Blue Jays. He still has two more years on his contract after 2025 and he is finally looking like the guy they wanted to sign out of Cuba two off-season's ago.

These four should remain Blue Jays if they continue to stay in the playoff hunt. This next one should definitely be on the trade block even while Toronto is in the postseason mix.

Chad Green

Gree
May 30, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Chad Green (57) delivers a pitch against the Athletics in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images | Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Chad Green has been very lucky this season and that may catch up to him later this year. His xERA is up to 5.90, significantly higher than his 3.62 ERA. He's a rental too and teams are always trying to find reliever pickups at the deadline. In fact, Toronto will likely do the same, but Green should be dealt in the mix too.