Trade deadline season is over and the Blue Jays handled their business very well, however they were forced to sell for the first time in five years. They traded away all their impending free agents as they intend to compete again in 2025. Players who'll be free agents after the 2025 season were involved in rumors throughout the Deadline but they ultimately survived. They could be traded in the offseason in what promises to be one of the most important one of the Atkins and Shapiro era.
Chris Bassitt
Bassitt has pitched to a 3.95 ERA across 23 starts this season and will earn $21 million in 2025. If the Blue Jays were to trade Bassitt, they'd get a solid return and the newly-acquired Jake Bloss would replace him in the rotation. Bassitt would be an ideal fit for the Astros, who'll be losing both Yusei Kikuchi and Justin Verlander in addition to the Orioles, with the No.1 ranked farm system in baseball. Both these teams have recent postseason experience, which Bassitt has with the Athletics in 2020 and the Mets, his last appearance in 2022.
There is concern however with Bassitt's age (36 by Opening Day) and signs of decline. His WHIP, (1.41) is his highest of his career, opponents are batting .265 against him, Bassitt's highest since 2016 (.294). Another concern is the Blue Jays are unlikely to trade him in the offseason along with their intention of competing in 2025 considering they already lost a key member of their rotation at the deadline.