Ranking the 6 Blue Jays most logical trade chips at the 2026 deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays have gotten themselves back into legitimate contention after a slow start to their 2026 MLB season. As a result, the Blue Jays will be looking to add impactful assets to bolster their roster for the stretch run.

In order to do so, Toronto will likely need to give up some valuable prospect capital to get the job done. Here, we will take a look at the six most logical trade chips that the Blue Jays could strategically utilize at the 2026 trade deadline.

Which top prospects can the Blue Jays use as trade bait at the trade deadline?

#6 P Jake Bloss

With Joey Loperfido and Will Wagner both gone, Jake Bloss represents the key remaining piece left from the return package that the Jays got from the Yusei Kikuchi trade with the Houston Astros back in 2024. Having missed the bulk of the 2025 season due to UCL surgery, Bloss finally has the chance to show the Jays what he could do this year.

In seven minor league starts to date that included some rehab games, the 24-year-old right-hander has posted a 3.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, along with just six walks and 30 strikeouts in 23.2 innings of work. Among all of the top pitching prospects in the Blue Jays system, Bloss is arguably the most major league-ready among them all, making him a valuable asset for teams that need a piece that could help them immediately.

#5 OF RJ Schreck

As we previously identified, RJ Schreck could be one of the Jays’ biggest trade chips at the deadline this year. With a boatload of players that could fill the outfield position at the major league level for Toronto, especially with their bench posse and the arrival of Yohendrick Pinango, it has made Schreck expendable due to the logjam.

The 25-year-old outfielder has compiled a .784 OPS with 34 runs scored, nine doubles, seven home runs and 36 RBIs in 56 games with the Blue Jays’ affiliate Triple-A Buffalo. More impressively, Schreck has shown strong plate discipline with 39 walks to go along with 44 strikeouts in 229 plate appearances. As a result, he could finally get his opportunity in the big leagues, but with another organization.

#4 INF Sean Keys

Perhaps currently the top power bat in the Blue Jays system right now, Sean Keys has certainly made a name for himself with a blistering 2026 campaign. In 64 minor league games split between Buffalo and Double-A New Hampshire, Keys has batted a strong .284 with a 1.006 OPS, along with 50 runs scored, 13 doubles, 18 home runs and 46 RBIs.

In fact, his 18 dingers is even more than any of the Blue Jays players at the big league level as Kazuma Okamoto is the only current Blue Jay with double digits in home runs with 16. The last time Toronto had a fast-rising power bat of this nature, they failed to capitalize on it when they had the chance as Orelvis Martínez eventually fizzled out. So they shouldn’t make the same mistake twice with Keys.

#3 INF Arjun Nimmala

With the Blue Jays likely hesitant to move their No. 1 prospect in JoJo Parker given his potential high ceiling, if they were to be a part of any blockbuster deal, No. 2 prospect Arjun Nimmala will likely need to be included.

Nimmala is currently having a solid 2026 season, amassing a career-best .270 batting average, along with an .801 OPS, 24 runs scored, 13 doubles, four home runs, 22 RBIs and five stolen bases in 41 games split between New Hampshire and High-A Vancouver. His unique athletic skill set that includes his extensive background in cricket could be appealing to prospective teams looking for an intriguing add that could turn out to be a star in the making down the road.

#2 P Gage Stanifer

Gage Stanifer was one of the Blue Jays’ top breakout pitchers from the 2025 season. Stanifer ascended three minor league levels last year while posting an 8-6 record with a stellar 2.86 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, with a whopping 161 strikeouts in 110 innings pitched over 27 games played that included 16 starts.

This year, he may have struggled coming out of the gate with New Hampshire, leading to a 4.26 ERA and 1.47 WHIP along with 70 strikeouts in 57 total innings pitched. But Stanifer has looked a lot stronger since May, having held his opponents to two earned runs or less in seven of his eight starts. He remains an attractive piece for teams looking to potentially land a future front end of the rotation fixture.

#1 P Johnny King

Finally, we have one of the Blue Jays’ fastest rising pitching prospect in Johnny King. Taken in the third round by Toronto from the 2024 MLB Draft, King has impressed since making his pro debut, and this year hasn’t been any different. Starting out with Vancouver for his 2026 campaign, the young left-hander has compiled a 2-1 record with a tidy 2.47 ERA, along with 66 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched over 13 starts.

With his 14.1 K/9 strikeout rate, he has future ace written all over him. As a result, King could potentially help the Blue Jays land a monster piece if Toronto is willing to let him go at the trade deadline.

Add us as a preferred source on Google

Follow