Blue Jays Rumors: 3 players who won’t be on the roster by the trade deadline
By Mark Powell
The Toronto Blue Jays could undergo a multitude of changes by the trade deadline. These 3 players won’t be on the roster by then.
At 41-35, the Jays would be in a great spot in most divisions. Unfortunately, the AL East is not most divisions.
Toronto has a lot of work to do if they are to make the postseason, as they must overcome the Yankees and/or Orioles in their own division, and perhaps some other American League contenders to snag a Wild Card spot.
Some reliable starting pitching would help, and that’s likely what the Jays will target first. But this team has plenty of roster holes to fill, and far too much talent to miss out on the postseason. Toronto third baseman Matt Chapman has essentially been holding this team together during what’s been some tough times of late.
“If you want to be a true leader,” Chapman said, per The Athletic. “it can’t all just be about you showing up, doing your work. You have to be all-in on the team.”
In times of strife this season — such as when Alek Manoah was sent down to get his groove back recently — Chapman was the first to speak up.
“It was good to hear in the moment,” Manoah said. “Especially from somebody that everybody kind of holds his words with a lot of weight.”
Players like Chapman — and the Vlad Jr.’s, Bo Bichette’s and more — likely aren’t going anywhere prior to the trade deadline Others, however, won’t be as lucky.
Blue Jays who won’t survive the deadline: Tyler Heineman
The Jays traded for Tyler Heineman, who spent some of last season with them, as catching help. Thanks to the Alejandro Kirk injury, Heineman has received more playing time than originally expected.
However, Heineman is merely a third catcher on this roster when Kirk is healthy, which is why he likely won’t survive the majors on the big-league squad. He was only called back up from Buffalo a few days ago, and while he’s a good story, he’s not a long-term answer.
Kirk took a fastball off his right hand a few days back, which is why he was placed on the injured list to begin with. Nonetheless, he’s expected back in a little over a week. Per MLB Trade Rumors, there isn’t much room for Heineman on the roster when Kirk comes back.
"“(Kirk) started the season well, putting up a .274/.418/.387 line through the end of April. Over the past month and a half, he’s managed only a .241/.285/.302 showing. Jansen, who’ll get the bulk of the catching reps while Kirk is out, has been on an opposite trajectory. He had a .179/.246/.375 slash through the season’s first month-plus but has found his power stroke with a .235/.286/.506 mark going back to May 1.”"
Yes, Jansen started off the season rough, but if he’s finding his stroke now, he’s clearly a better option than Heineman.