Every time a top free agent becomes available, the Toronto Blue Jays fall short of signing him. This occurred to Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, Max Fried, Corbin Burnes, and now Roki Sasaki.
The Blue Jays have attempted to add talent but have fallen short, so it would not be shocking if they modify their strategy. The Blue Jays may switch from attempting to sign elite free agents to moving away their star first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in the same offseason. Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently proposed a trade that would send Guerrero to the San Diego Padres in exchange for three players. Here’s the arrangement Rymer proposed that would send Guerrero to San Diego:
The San Diego Padres receive: 1B/3B Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. Toronto Blue Jays receive 2B/1B. Jake Cronenworth, LHP; Yuki Matsui, SS. Leodalis De Vries (Padres’ top prospect) “This transaction would be costly for Toronto. “Whereas they only have to pay Guerrero $28.5 million, Cronenworth and Matsui still owe them $90.5 million,” Rymer said. “It is nevertheless worth remembering that Cronenworth was on Toronto’s radar last winter.
He could immediately replace Guerrero at first base and, at the very least, add balance to a right-handed lineup.The true prize, of course, is De Vries. Though he’s only 18 and has only one minor league season under his belt, he’s a switch-hitter who projects as a five-tool shortstop. He’d be the crown jewel that the Blue Jays’ farm system currently lacks. While this would be a significant risk for the Padres, they must do something to catch the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. Adding Guerrero would be a major boost, especially if San Diego can compete to re-sign him next winter.
Given how much money the Padres have invested in its stars, it is a difficult climb, but it would be worthwhile. Last winter, the Padres dealt away an expiring Soto. This offseason, they might aim to be on the other end of the trade, acquiring an expiring Guerrero.
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