Fansided

Top 25 tradeable pieces to keep an eye on this season

By Joshua Sadlock

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles looks on during the eighth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 27: Starting pitcher J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Blue Jays won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 27: Starting pitcher J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Blue Jays won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /

7. J.A. Happ

If the Blue Jays are unwilling to trade Josh Donaldson because of what he means to the franchise or unable to do so because he is still dealing with injuries, that is understandable to an extent. Failing to find a trade partner for pending free agent J.A. Happ in his walk year is another thing. Toronto needs to re-set and regroup while waiting for Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, and the 35-year-old Happ should not be viewed as an integral part of their long-term plan.

Happ has been one of the biggest surprises in the major leagues the past four seasons. After a strong start to his career in Philadelphia, he bounced around and was 32-44 with a 4.75 ERA from 2011 to 2014. Toronto was one of the teams included in the four stops he made after being traded by the Phillies in 2010.

A trade to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the deadline in 2015 set Happ back on an upward trajectory, and he is now 44-20 with a 3.24 ERA in 82 starts since getting to work with Ray Searage in Pittsburgh.

So far this season, Happ is putting up the best strikeout numbers of his career, whiffing 11.1 per nine. His contract for the remainder of the year is fairly inexpensive and the Blue Jays must capitalize here and bring back at least one higher-end prospect to add to their exciting group currently knocking on the door of the big leagues.

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