MLB Rumors: Blue Jays decline could put All-Star on trade market

The Toronto Blue Jays’ recent slide could put key players on the trade block. 

The Toronto Blue Jays are currently 30-27. That would be enough to put them in first place in the AL (or NL) Central, but in the vaunted AL East, that’s only good enough for fourth place. The Jays likely have no intention of taking their foot off the gas pedal, but circumstances can change quickly.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan went in-depth to cover all the pertinent rumors leading up to the MLB’s August 1st trade deadline, which is starting to loom large on the horizon — even at two months’ distance. He singled out Toronto as a team to watch.

With so much stiff competition in their own division, a couple injuries or a sideways stretch could send the Blue Jays hurling out of the contenders circle. If such circumstances do arise, All-Star third baseman Matt Chapman could be on the move.

MLB Rumors: Toronto Blue Jays could consider trading Matt Chapman if record slips

Passan describes Toronto’s greatest potential assets at the trade deadline as “rental bats.” If the Jays become sellers, there are several hitters who could draw attention from eager contenders around the league. He names Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Belt specifically.

The name that stands out most, however, is Matt Chapman, who he dubs “the best non-[Shohei] Ohtani hitter” primed to hit the market this winter. Chapman made an All-Star appearance with Oakland back in 2019 and he’s in the midst of another strong season at the plate, batting .288 with seven homers, 28 RBIs, and a league-leading 21 doubles in 235 at-bats.

On top of his hitting prowess, Chapman is a three-time Gold Glove winner at the hot corner. The Jays would have a long line of interested suitors if Chapman were to be made available.

That said, it’s best to pump the brakes on Chapman speculation for the time being. Toronto still has a path to postseason contention and it’s no small feat to have a winning record of any kind in the ultra-talented AL East. With Tampa, New York, and Baltimore all surging, the Jays have a lot of ground to make up, but that doesn’t mean the team isn’t capable of contending with the current group. Toronto could even end up buying talent at the deadline, rather than selling.

Chapman’s sudden availability would make for a potential blockbuster trade, but the Jays are presently focused on climbing the standings — not bottoming out.