Ranking 6 Blue Jays trade targets from tempting upgrades to poor fits

The Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire on Dec. 1, and with just over one month remaining, there is an expectation that there could be a lot of transactions between the end of the World Series and the expiration of the CBA. Whether it is through free agency or trade, player movement could come swiftly. While the Toronto Blue Jays' laundry list is not as long as others, they still have several holes to fill.

Robert Murray recently took a look at the top trade candidates available and there are plenty of intriguing names for the Blue Jays, and others to consider. Not all of them will fit Toronto's needs though.

C William Contreras, Milwaukee Brewers

Contreras is coming off a decent season in which he slashed .270/.341/.417 with a 109 wRC+. He has helped lead the Brewers to their first World Series in 44 years with some big home runs during their postseason run. After a stellar 2023 campaign where he posted 5.8 fWAR, Contreras has not been able to replicate that success and has seen a gradual decline each season. He posted a 3 fWAR this year.

For the Blue Jays, this is an easy opportunity to pass on. With Alejandro Kirk and Brandon Valenzuela cemented behind the dish, Contreras' services are not as needed compared to other teams.

Trade Verdict: low

SS Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros

Peña does not have a special trait as a hitter. He can hit for average but has below average power. Despite matching his career-high for homeruns (22) in 2026, he benefitted from a pulled-flyball approach and took advantage of the short left field at his home park in Houston. He has elite sprint speeds which helps on the base paths. Defensively, the 29 year old has flip flopped between good and bad defensive seasons at shortstop.

While Peña is a good player, he does not fit what the Blue Jays should be looking to address in their lineup. He chases a lot of pitches, does not draw many walks, and his below average power masks his overall offensive production.

Trade Verdict: low

LF Steven Kwan, Cleveland Guardians

Kwan's approach at the plate is his best trait. Since 2022, he has been in the top 3% or better in whiff, chase, squared up, and strikeout rates. He will not hit for power as his career high in home runs was 14 in 2024 and he hit a career-low three home runs in 2026. He has seen his sprint speed decline since his debut and only stole 10 bases in 2026. Kwan has remained a great defender in left field.

Though he would address the chase issues for the Blue Jays, his non-existent power really limits his ceiling. A career .321 xwOBA is around league average which puts a lot of pressure on him to maintain a good approach at the plate.

Trade Verdict: low

CJ Abrams and Zach Neto offer upside on the trade market, but neither is a perfect Blue Jays fit

SS/2B CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals

As previously highlighted, Abrams is arguably the top bat available this offseason. Abrams would answer some of the issues in the lineup, namely adding a bit more power and elite speed to the lineup. There are also some concerns with his tendency to chase pitches, and his long-term defensive position.

Abrams is not a free agent until after the 2028 season meaning it would take a significant haul to acquire him. Teams like the Blue Jays will need to decide whether his 3.7 fWAR in 2026 is legitimate as he did outperform several metrics, or if he is less than that. If they deem him less than that, they could ultimately be overpaying for his services.

Trade Verdict: medium

SS Zach Neto, Los Angeles Angels

Neto is a slightly worse version of Abrams. They have similar approaches at the plate and contact quality. The main difference is, Neto relies on pulling flyballs in the air more to get his home runs as he has less bat speed than Abrams. Neto has been consistent at the plate as he has posted a wRC+ of at least 116 since 2024. Defensively, Neto may need to be moved off shortstop eventually.

The 25 year old is not a free agent until after the 2029 season. With the extra year of control, Neto would cost slightly more than Abrams. Neto has put up at least 3.3 fWAR since 2024 and a career-high 3.9 fWAR in 2026.

Trade Verdict: medium

LHP Reid Detmers, Los Angeles Angels

After struggling as a starter in his first four seasons, Detmers was moved to relief in 2025 in order to work on things. In 2026, he once again became a starter and enjoyed the best year of his career. In a career-high 185 innings, Detmers put up a 3.36 ERA with 1.04 WHIP and finished seventh in the Majors with a career-high 211 strikeouts. His 3.01 FIP suggests he could have been even better.

Could the Blue Jays and Angels link up for another pitcher trade? They did it once already with José Soriano so it would not come as a surprise. Controllable for two more seasons, Detmers' price tag will be high coming off a career year that was very sustainable.

Though the addition of Detmers would make the Blue Jays rotation the deepest in the Majors, he should not be viewed as a top priority. With Dylan Cease, José Soriano, Trey Yesavage, and Cody Ponce already in the fold they don't need to empty their farm for a frontline guy when there are a few available on the free agency market.

Trade Verdict: low

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