Alek Manoah may have figured out the Blue Jays’ master plan with Yusei Kikuchi

By now, the Toronto Blue Jays and their fanbase are probably still relishing on the tremendous return that they got for Yusei Kikuchi from the Houston Astros. For just a likely rental in Kikuchi, the Astros gave up three top prospects in right-handed pitcher Jake Bloss, infielder Will Wagner and utilityman Joey Loperfido in the process. What was being categorized by many as a fleece of epic proportions, the Jays sure did amazing with this trade transaction.

But believe it or not, it could actually get even better. Why is that? Well, Alek Manoah may have the exact answer to that. When Sportsnet interviewed the Jays’ starting pitchers as they reflected on their experience of having Kikuchi as their beloved teammate, one thing we all learned was that they were actually a tight-knit group. But when it got around to Manoah, he may have inadvertently leaked the Jays’ master plan that they had with Kikuchi as he had the following to say:

“Anybody that leaves the clubhouse, it would kind of suck,” Manoah said. “We’re a pretty tight group. But we have joked with him [Kikuchi], like, ‘Hey, go get us a couple prospects and then come back in free agency.’ “

The Jays have now done exactly that, but even better, netting THREE promising prospects to help the club for now and the future. So if Manoah’s remarks actually ends up holding any substance, then there is a great possibility that Kikuchi could be back with the Jays as early as this upcoming offseason through free agency. So if that indeed comes to fruition, then the Jays definitely deserve the title of grandmaster of all trades. Nevertheless, perhaps Jays’ GM Ross Atkins should finally get his credit where it’s due.

No matter how the 2024 season ends up playing out for the Jays, they have already won big by taking three huge steps ahead in their retooling with the trade. With the possibility now that Kikuchi could also come back in a few months time, this could end up being a no-doubter “win-win-win-win” situation for Toronto.