Toronto Blue Jays Trade Deadline Odds and Rumours: Where will Yusei Kikuchi land?

Sitting 7.5 games back of the final American League wild card spot, postseason baseball is not in the Toronto Blue Jays’ future in 2024. There’s still reason to keep an eye on the Jays, however, as they are expected to be busy sellers ahead of the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline on Tuesday.

So, who will Toronto hang on to and who is on their way out the door? Let’s take a look.

2024 World Series odds

Toronto Blue Jays’ trade deadline plan

Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. are under team control for one more season after this one, so it’s believed the Blue Jays will wait to make a decision on their long-term futures until the off-season. Kevin Gausman, Jose Berrios and Chris Bassitt are also each expected to stay, but every other player on the roster, particularly pending free agents, will be up for grabs.

Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi should bring back the biggest return of all the players Toronto is shopping. Reports have said the Dodgers, Padres, Twins and Astros have all checked in on Kikuchi, but his expiring contract and the fact he’s not a No. 1 ace limits the expected return. The 33-year-old is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in 22 appearances this season. He won’t put a World Series contender over the top, but he provides crucial depth.

While rumours have swirled around Kikuchi for weeks, a more recent trade option is relief pitcher Chad Green, who is under contract next season. Green spent seven seasons in the Yankees before signing with Toronto in 2023, so New York is a natural fit, but the Dodgers, Red Sox and Orioles all need help in the bullpen.

Kevin Kiermaier, who is day-to-day with a bruised hip, is another trade candidate. The 34-year-old has said he plans to retire after the season, so he would be a pure rental. Kiermaier has seen a big dip in production this season, hitting 1.90/.232/.303 with four home runs and 18 RBIs.

Recently traded

The Blue Jays have already started moving players, trading relief pitchers Yimi Garcia and Nate Pearson as well as longtime catcher Danny Jansen over the weekend.

At 33-years-old, Garcia wasn’t in Toronto’s long-term plans, so he was an obvious trade chip and he netted two solid prospects from Seattle in return.

Pearson was a little bit of a surprise. Once considered the Blue Jays’ top overall prospect, Pearson never developed into the true ace pitcher he was expected to become. Pearson, who has struggled with a 5.63 ERA in 40.0 innings pitched this season, was moved to the Cubs for two prospects.

Jansen was a fan favourite in Toronto, but the second-longest tenured Blue Jays will get a chance to compete for a playoff spot in Boston. It was a necessary move for Toronto as they received three prospects and there’s already rumours they could explore bringing Jansen back through free agency in the off-season.

Notable additions

OF Jonathan Chase

Chase is the biggest addition to the prospect pool and he is coming off a season in which he hit 20 home runs with 79 stolen bases in the minors. He’ll start with Triple-A Buffalo, but he could join Toronto this season if Kiermaier is moved.

C Jacob Sharp

Sharp has a .774 OPS over 44 games in Single-A this season and he’ll head to High-A Vancouver.

LF Yohendrick Pinango

Pinango will go to Double-A New Hampshire. He is hitting .263 with nine home runs and a .797 OPS between High-A and Double-A this season and he’ll provide much-needed organizational depth at outfield.

SS Josh Rivera

Rivera’s stock has taken a hit this season as he has struggled in Double-A with a .169 average and a .537 OPS over 68 games. The Blue Jays are gambling on Rivera’s upside and the belief that he’s a much better player than he’s shown this season.

INF Cutter Coffey

Coffey instantly moves into the Jays’ top 30 prospect list. A second-round draft pick in 2022, Coffey has a lot of upside at just 20-years-old, batting .238 with 14 home runs in the minors this year.