MLB Rumors: A trade deadline shocker, Brewers megadeal looming, Phillies Nola question

MLB Rumors: Could the Blue Jays be sellers?

As Jeff Passan notes in his column, the likelihood of Toronto dropping out of contention is slim to none, but the AL East is far more competitive than, say, the AL Central. The Rays, Yankees, Orioles and Red Sox are all formidable foes. If Toronto considers this season a lost cause by late July, they would be wise to trade off some of their rentals.

Players like Matt Chapman, Kevin Kiermaier and Brandon Belt — all valuable veterans who would help a contender — would prefer to do so in Toronto. Heck, push comes to shove, Blue Jays management would rather the team they invested millions in play to the best of their ability. But if that’s not enough, expect Toronto’s front office to do the right thing and sell.

"“Again, the Blue Jays, and the teams that follow, almost certainly won’t be giving up on the season. But baseball is weird. Good teams go bad. And every so often, deadline deals of which nobody could conceive actually do happen,” Passan wrote."

It’s a stretch, yes, but the Jays are nine games back of the Rays in the AL East. That’s a lot of ground to make up, and the AL Wild Card is no guarantee. If Toronto’s front office doesn’t think this year’s team is World Series-caliber, then what’s the point of holding on to players who will likely leave this offseason anyway?