4 perfect trade partners for the Blue Jays to fix infield logjam

San Francisco Giants

Another team that the Jays can engage in some trade talks with include the Giants. Long-time shortstop Brandon Crawford entered free agency following the 2023 season, leaving a gaping hole at the position. Crawford was a three-time All-Star and four-time Gold Glove winner during his 13-year tenure with the Giants. Up until 2023, he had spent his entire career with the team that drafted him. However, his numbers had declined drastically in the past couple of seasons, including posting some mediocre stats in 2023 when he hit just .194 with a .587 OPS, 63 OPS+, along with just 7 home runs and 38 RBI in 93 games played.

For the Jays, they have an assortment of infielders that specialize in various skills and abilities, whether it be hitting (Horwitz), power (Schneider, Biggio), or defense (Espinal). Given defense had been an area of concern for the Giants the past couple of years, getting someone like Espinal, who has the potential to develop into the next Crawford, makes the most sense. Going the other way, the Jays could look for insurance depth for their outfield, given the wavering health of both Kevin Kiermaier and George Springer. Since the Giants now have an excess of outfielders after signing Jorge Soler, someone like an Austin Slater or Mike Yastrzemski could fit the bill.

Cleveland Guardians

For a team that had been perennial contenders prior to the 2023 season, the Guardians turned out to be a huge disappointment last year as they finished with a 76-86 record and third place in the AL Central Division. Despite being led by the star power of five-time All-Star José Ramírez, former Cy Young winner Shane Bieber and one of the best closers in the game in Emmanuel Clase, they still ended up finishing in their worst position in the standings in nearly 10 years. As they look to retool their roster to get back to their winning ways in 2024, their roster significantly lacks a solid shortstop that could line up well with Ramírez, Josh Naylor and Andrés Giménez.

That is where the Jays can come in, with quality options in Clement and Espinal, along with the possibility of young promising prospects in Barger and Leo Jimenez. In exchange, the Jays can tap into some of the Guardians’ strength in solid pitching arms, with the outside shot of landing some premium budding talent such as a Tanner Bibee, or perhaps maybe even a Shane Bieber following his subpar season last year. Or they could go all out and try for Clase and form an unstoppable back end bullpen duo with Jordan Romano.