Jonatan Clase’s call-up highlights the Blue Jays’ most obvious trade deadline strength

24-year-old Jonatan Clase has rejoined the Toronto Blue Jays. The switch-hitting outfielder got the call up so that George Springer could be placed on the paternity list. The 36-year-old designated hitter is about to welcome his third child into the world and so Clase his taking his place on the big league roster for the time being.

It is Clase's first trip to the big leagues this season after making his MLB debut last year. He played in 34 games at the beginning of the 2025 campaigned and compiled a .210/.288/.300 slash line with two home runs, nine RBIs and three stolen bases.

This year, Clase began the season with Triple-A Buffalo and in 53 games has put together a .223/.321/.359 slash line with five home runs, 23 RBIs and 17 stolen bases. His calling card still lies within his speed and defence. He hasn't made an error in 254 innings in the outfield with the Bisons, and his 17 steals leads the team.

Clase's promotion showcases what is likely the biggest strength for the team heading into this year's trade deadline: outfield depth. The Blue Jays have an abundance of outfielders on the roster, especially who hit from the left side, that they can utilize in trade talks with other teams.

While Clase is a switch hitter, the Blue Jays also employ Daulton Varsho, Nathan Lukes, Addison Barger, Anthony Santander, Yohendrick Piñango and Jesús Sánchez. Meantime, RJ Schreck and Carlos Mendoza are, you guessed it, left-handed hitting outfielders currently playing at Triple-A.

Blue Jays can address other areas with a wealth of depth among lefty outfielders

It isn't just that the Blue Jays have all of these players on their roster, it's that plenty of them probably aren't in the long-term plans for the Blue Jays regardless of how this season goes. Varsho will be a free agent at the end of the season and if the Blue Jays haven't offered him a contract extension by now, they probably won't at all.

As good as Lukes has been, if another team is willing to give up a top pitching prospect to acquire him, you have to pull the trigger on that deal. Same goes for Sánchez.

For Barger and Piñango, either guy could be a key piece of a winning core for Toronto, but it's more likely they are going to be in each others way for playing time. With Barger spending most of this season on the shelf his trade value is probably the lowest it ever has been. Piñango has been taking advantage of some of the Blue Jays' other injuries and therefore his .762 OPS and 111 wRC+ might be very attractive to other contenders and this may be the highest value he'll ever provide on the trade market.

Schreck and Mendoza are both 26-years-old have yet to reach the majors in their respective careers.
Then there's the rehabbing Santander. Manager John Schneider confirmed a few weeks ago that he is set to soon begin a rehab assignment. If a contending team looks at that rehab and likes what they see and is willing to take Santander's contract off the Blue Jays' hands, it would be hard to pass that up considering the money he's owed, versus the production he's provided.

There are just as many reason's to want all of these guys to stay in Toronto's system as there are reason's for them to be shipped off. The thing is, if they were all healthy, there wouldn't be enough playing time for all of them in Toronto anyways. The Blue Jays should look at this group as their biggest assets going into the deadline and understand that moving a couple of these guys won't handcuff them from their future plans.

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