Blue Jays $36 Million Pitcher Named as ‘Surprise’ Trade Candidate

To begin the season, the Toronto Blue Jays have fallen short of expectations. The squad is 17–20 despite having elite

players like Justin Turner, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. As of May 9,

they are in the bottom spot in the American League Central. If Toronto

can’t get things straightened out, they might end up selling by the trade

deadline. Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report listed starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi as

one of several “Potential Surprise MLB Trade Candidates” on May 9.

Kikuchi signed a three-year, $36 million deal with the Blue Jays in 2022. He started his MLB career with the Mariners after signing out of Japan at 27.

Without extensions on the books for Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, the Toronto front office could cook up one hell of a fire sale if it really wanted to throw in the towel this summer, but it’s still too soon to expect anything that drastic,” Reuter wrote

Blue Jays Might Be Sellers at the Trade Deadline

The Blue Jays won 89 games in 2023, clinching a spot in the postseason as a wild-card team. The Blue Jays lost in the first round to the Minnesota Twins. However, the talented group set an expectation that they would be back in the postseason in 2024. While there is still plenty of time to right the ship, the Blue Jays’ early struggles do not point to a postseason berth.

The Blue Jays rank No. 26 in runs and home runs. They rank No. 22 in batting average and OPS. In addition to their offensive struggles, they have allowed the sixth-highest team ERA. Plain and simple, the Blue Jays are not getting the job done on the mound or at the plate.

The contract circumstances of the Blue Jays’ best players combined with their on-field struggles make them seem like strong candidates to trade some players for prospects. “The Jays keep playing poorly. They have a franchise-high payroll of $225 million. They have an ok farming system. The squad is at a crossroads, as many of their key names are getting close to free agency, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Guerrero and Bichette are both set to be free agents after 2025, but it is unlikely the Blue Jays would unlikely they move

on at this point, as Reuter noted. However, their free agents after this

season are more likely candidates to be moved

“Upcoming free agents Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner, Danny Jansen and Kevin Kiermaier are the most logical trade

chips if they fail to climb back into contention, while closer Jordan Romano

is also a candidate to be dealt,” wrote Reuter.

Recent Bounceback Could Help With Trading Kikuchi

Kikuchi, 32, made 32 starts in 2023. He held a 3.86 ERA with 181 strikeouts. Through seven starts in 2024, he has a 2.72 ERA and 43 strikeouts. His first season for the Blue Jays did not go so well. He held a 5.19 ERA in 32 games and even lost his role as a starter.

However, he had a “nice bounce-back season last year,” wrote Reuter.

If the Blue Jays don’t think they can compete, his comeback might be enough to sell him. Reuter stated, “His 2.31 FIP gives plenty of reason for optimism that his career-best start is sustainable. Teams always need pitching help at the deadline.”

When the trade deadline comes around, a lot of teams will make calls in an effort to strengthen their rotation. The Blue Jays may begin adding components for the future while focussing on getting long-term contracts signed by Guerrero and Bichette.