With next Tuesday’s MLB trade deadline fast approaching, we’ll soon learn the fate of Toronto Blue Jays All-Stars Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
The Blue Jays (46-56 entering the weekend) have been arguably the most disappointing team in baseball this year. The postseason is out of reach for a Toronto team that only has Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette under team control through 2025.
If the Blue Jays decide to begin a full-scale rebuild, the front office would be better off trading both stars some time between now and the start of next season. By doing that, Toronto would maximize the return for Vladdy Jr. and Bichette.
Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller proposed a blockbuster trade idea that has the Blue Jays sending Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to the playoff-hopeful Seattle Mariners in exchange for a trio of prospects: Shortstop Felnin Celesten, third baseman Ben Williamson and outfielder Jonny Farmelo:
“Aside from the Orioles, Seattle has the best farm system right now. And though most of its top-tier prospects are still likely at least a year or two away from cracking into the big leagues, that’s kind of perfect for Toronto, which would be waving the white flag on both 2024 and 2025 if it unloads Guerrero (and Bo Bichette).
Celesten is still just an 18-year-old in rookie ball, but the switch-hitting shortstop has darn near a 1.000 OPS there. And Farmelo was the high schooler they took 29th overall in last year’s draft with the “prospect promotion incentive pick” that they got for Julio Rodríguez winning the 2022 AL Rookie of the Year.“
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The Mariners (53-51) enter the weekend one game behind the Houston Astros for tops in the AL West. Though they have baseball’s best rotation, Seattle is barely .500 because of a hapless offense that has the league’s worst team batting average (.216), the third-worst OPS (.660) and the third-fewest runs scored (390).
With Julio Rodríguez and J.P. Crawford also on the injured list, the urgency to add more offense only increases. And a player like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. could single-handedly take the M’s from a potential wild card team to a bonafide World Series contender.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Likely Won’t Be Moved At Deadline
Guerrero Jr. has made it clear that he wants to remain a Blue Jay, so the front office must consider an extension before a trade. With the regular season approaching its conclusion, it just feels like Toronto would be better off waiting until the winter to decide on Guerrero Jr.’s future with the team.
The 25-year-old has been dominating at the plate since a slow start, so Toronto has to consider building around Vladdy Jr. rather than trade him.
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