Danny Jansen named one of the top trade targets to watch as the deadline nears
Could Jansen’s days with the Blue Jays be numbered?
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The Toronto Blue Jays have had many of their notable players mentioned in trade talks in recent weeks with trade season in full swing. Among them had been long-time serving catcher Danny Jansen, who has been a part of the big league club since their most recent rebuild back in 2018. As a perennial fan favourite and having been through it all with the Jays, many fans would sure be disappointed to see him leave.
But according to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, that possibility has become a lot more probable now as Jansen is among the top 10 trade targets to watch following the All-Star break. Feinsand believed that because Jansen will be a free agent following the end of the current season, along with his attractive value $5.2 million contract for 2024, he would be a prime trade candidate for contending clubs that need a run-producing catcher.
Who would argue with that? After all, when healthy, Jansen could be counted upon to provide close to 25 home runs and 75 RBI per season over a 162-game schedule pace. More importantly, he has shown time and time again to be the club’s most clutch hitter. Very often, Jansen would come through for the Jays with game-tying or game-winning hits when the team needed it the most. Added to his career sparkling .993 fielding percentage, along with allowing just 10 passed balls in 429 career games as a catcher, he could potentially be a difference maker on both sides of the field for a contending team.
This season, Jansen had fallen a bit behind last year’s pace, as he has only hit .223 with a .707 OPS, along with 27 runs scored, 13 doubles, 6 home runs and 17 RBI in 57 games on an underachieving Jays’ squad. Nevertheless, a change of scenery could be enough to re-ignite his power bat and solid run production. At least the league certainly believes so, as he has already drawn interest from prospective clubs. Recent rumors revealed that the Chicago Cubs have expressed their desire to acquire the 29-year-old catcher for the stretch run.