Rival exec: Jays have talked about trading Vlad, Bo
It's been a rough start to 2024 for the Toronto Blue Jays, and that may already have them thinking about the future.
An anonymous rival executive told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com that the Blue Jays have "talked to teams about" potentially trading first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and shortstop Bo Bichette before this year's deadline. The executive hinted that no deals are imminent, though, as he characterized their asking prices as "ridiculous."
Guerrero and Bichette have served as the Blue Jays' cornerstones since they arrived in the majors together in 2019. However, they're on track to become free agents after next season, and there hasn't seemed to be any traction toward extensions with either player. Toronto could potentially get slightly more in return if it traded one or both this summer, given the acquiring team would have them for parts of two seasons instead of just one.
Both players are off to slow starts in 2024, though. Guerrero, who hit an MLB-best 48 home runs in 2021, has hit just four this year while posting a .775 OPS in 46 games. However, his hard-hit metrics have spiked compared to last year's downturn, and he's also been hot of late, hitting .404 since May 1.
Bichette, meanwhile, is hitting a career-worst .230/.289/.333 with two homers and 16 RBIs. The two-time AL hits leader has also been showing signs of a turnaround, though, sporting a .819 OPS since being moved down in the order May 4.
The Blue Jays, who entered this season with expectations of a third straight playoff berth, have stumbled to a 21-25 start and sit last in the always competitive AL East. The team has made the playoffs three times with Guerrero and Bichette on the roster, but have never advanced beyond the wild-card series. The franchise last won a playoff game in 2016.
Other Blue Jays players who could interest contenders should they decide to sell include left-hander Yusei Kikuchi and catcher Danny Jansen, who are off to fantastic starts in the final years of their respective contracts.