Blue Jays rumors: according to a report, Justin Turner, Kevin Kiermaier, Yusei Kikuchi, and others will be traded before the MLB 2024 trade deadline.
The Toronto Blue Jays are reportedly selling important players as the 2024 MLB season approaches the trade deadline. The Blue Jays will look for prospects to help rebuild the team, as their chances of making the playoffs become increasingly slim.
In his Sunday Notebook essay for USA Today, MLB expert Bob Nightengale speculated that Justin Turner, Kevin Kiermaier, and Yusei Kikuchi might be traded shortly. According to Nightengale, catcher Dani Jansen and relief pitcher Yimi Garcia are also likely to be on that list.
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“Love this” – Rachel Luba, Trevor Bauer’s agent, celebrates as the former MLB pitcher receives a trophy for his record-breaking performance in the LMB. At the start of the season, Toronto acquired Justin Turner from the Boston Red Sox for a one-year contract.
The 39-year-old, who often serves as a designated hitter, has been on a tear lately, going seven for sixteen in his previous five games. Meanwhile, outfielder Kevin Kiermaier is reaching the end of his two-year deal with the Blue Jays. Starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi is also scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the season.
After making the playoffs in the previous two years, the Toronto Blue Jays projected to be a dominant force in the American League again. However, they are bottom in the AL East with a 37-44 record and trail 7.5 games in the wildcard race despite having the league’s fifth highest payroll. Toronto Blue Jays are expected to retain young stars for one final attempt at greatness in 2025.
The Blue Jays’ prospects for the postseason have sparked discussion about whether they may trade Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, their most valuable assets.
Both players came up through the organization’s minor league system and will become eligible for free agency for the first time at the end of next season. Bob Nightengale says none of the two will be traded this year.
Guerrero Jr. had a poor start to the season, but now has a.291/.369/.456 batting line. The Blue Jays first baseman has 12 home runs and 41 RBIs, putting him in contention for his fourth consecutive All-Star selection.
Meanwhile, Bichette is seeing his least productive season in the majors. The 26-year-old shortstop has a.233 batting average and a very low OPS+ of 77.
Nightengale feels that by retaining Guerrero Jr. and Bichette, the Blue Jays will prepare for one more attempt at the championship in 2025. If that is the case, both the players and the organization will be under intense pressure to meet expectations next year.