Fansided

MLB trade rumors: Each team’s best trade chip

By Joshua Sadlock

Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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May 5, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak (14) is congratulated by third base coach Luis Rivera (4) after he hit a home run during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2017; St. Petersburg, FL, USA;Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Justin Smoak (14) is congratulated by third base coach Luis Rivera (4) after he hit a home run during the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Toronto Blue Jays: Justin Smoak

Their recent hot stretch not withstanding, the Blue Jays have looked like a very mediocre team this season. They are 9-17 in their own division, which is more indicative of their talent level than their 18-10 record in May that was buoyed by games against other sub-.500 teams. They are certainly not out of the playoff race by any stretch of the imagination, but dug themselves a very deep hole in April.

The Blue Jays severely depleted their farm system in 2015 when they pushed all their chips to the middle of the table to acquire David Price and Troy Tulowitzki. Their top prospect now, Vladimir Guerrero Jr, is certainly untouchable. Nothing much in their system would bring back a player that would impact a playoff race.

Selling high on Justin Smoak may be a move worth considering for the Jays. Smoak is a career .227 hitter enjoying a career year. Since May 9, Smoak is hitting .310/.417/.648 with eight home runs and more walks than strikeouts. Along the way, the Blue Jays have been facing some of the weaker teams in the league. Toronto may get burned if they expect too much from Smoak all season. The Jays saw the same thing happen with Michael Saunder last year, and his second-half swoon killed the offense for long stretches.

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