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  • Toronto Blue Jays Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

    The latest Toronto Blue Jays free agent and trade rumors, along with notes and tidbits about the team.
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    Leo Morgenstern
    The Blue Jays and Marlins have just kicked off a three-game set in Miami. The big story of the day is Shane Bieber returning from the injured list to make his Blue Jays debut, but it's also worth talking about one player who won't be taking the field for Toronto. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is out of the lineup for a third straight game after leaving early on Monday with tightness in his left hamstring.
    Needless to say, it's concerning that Guerrero has missed so much time, especially since the Jays initially suggested his exit on Monday was only precautionary. Thankfully, however, manager John Schneider provided a positive update on his star player this afternoon, even though he didn't write his name on the lineup card. 
    Speaking to Sportnet's Jeff Blair and Kevin Barker, the skipper made clear that Guerrero's injury is "not IL worthy" and noted that the first baseman has been feeling better "every single day." Sportnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith suggests Guerrero could even be available off the bench tonight. If not, a return later this weekend certainly seems to be in play.
    So, what do Jays fans think of all this? Are you still concerned about Guerrero's status, despite Schneider's comments? Join the discussion in the comments or tonight's game thread!
    Featured image courtesy of Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    Vladimir Guerrero Jr. exited early on Monday after injuring his left hamstring on a play at first base. He went for testing last night (per MLB.com's Keegan Matheson), but the Blue Jays are hopeful that both his exit and his MRI were only precautionary.
    You can watch the offending play below:
    Needless to say, losing Guerrero for any amount of time would be a massive blow for this team. Their offense has carried them to the top of the AL East, and Guerrero has been the most important piece of the puzzle.
    Hopefully, the Blue Jays will provide an update shortly. Even if it's good news, it wouldn't be surprising to see Guerrero sitting tonight against the Pirates. 
    Featured image courtesy of Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images.
    Matthew Lenz
    The Toronto Blue Jays starting rotation is about to get a boost from one of their trade deadline acquisitions.
    Mitch Bannon of The Athletic is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays will be activating and starting Shane Bieber on Friday.
    Bieber has been on a rehab assignment recovering from Tommy John surgery, making seven starts across various minor league levels. In a combined 29 innings of work, he has a 1.86 ERA with 37 strikeouts and three walks. In what is expected to be his final rehab start on August 15 with Triple-A Buffalo, he pitched 7 scoreless innings, allowing six hits.
    On July 31, 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays acquired Bieber from the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for right-handed pitching prospect Khal Stephen. Stephen was ranked as the number 5 prospect in the Blue Jays system and was a second-round pick in the 2024 MLB draft.
    What impact will Bieber have down the stretch after not pitching for more than a year? Join the conversation in the comments!
    Leo Morgenstern
    Francys Romero of Beisbol FR and KBO Insider Daniel Kim have both reported that the Blue Jays are "expected" to sign international free agent Seo-jun Moon to a contract with a signing bonus of more than $1 million. The right-handed pitcher is considered one of the top high school prospects in Korea. 
    This is a noteworthy signing, not only because of the lucrative bonus but also because it is unusual to see a Korean prospect opt to sign with an MLB organization rather than enter the KBO draft. The Jays seem to be taking advantage of their particularly deep pockets this year; the $2 million they added to their international bonus pool in the Myles Straw trade gave them the largest bonus pool for the current signing period of all 30 teams. 
    What do Jays fans think of this report? Join the conversation in the comments below.
    Featured image courtesy of Andrew West, The USA Today Network via Imagn Content Services, LLC.
    Leo Morgenstern
    Sportsnet's Arden Zwelling reports that the Blue Jays will activate second basemen Andrés Giménez ahead of tonight's game against the Cubs. He'll get the start at second base, batting ninth in the order. In a corresponding move to make room for Giménez on the active roster, the Jays are designating Buddy Kennedy for assignment.
    Giménez has been on the injured list with a sprained ankle since early July. He also spent time on the IL with a quad strain earlier in the season. Between those IL stints, the three-time Gold Glove winner appeared in 61 games. While his defense was excellent as usual, he struggled to make an impact at the plate.
    In Giménez's place, the Jays have relied on Ernie Clement at the keystone, as well as Davis Schneider and Leo Jiménez. It will be worth watching to see how manager John Schneider finds playing time for Clement and Schneider now that Giménez will presumably return to regular stolen base duties.
    As for Kennedy, he was called up last week and appeared in two games with Toronto, going 1-for-5 with a double, a walk, and a run scored.
    Featured image courtesy of Nick Turchiaro, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon reports that the Blue Jays were “open to discussing their best prospects” as trade chips ahead of the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Jays ultimately acquired Shane Bieber, Louis Varland, Ty France, Seranthony Domínguez, and Brandon Valenzuela without giving up either shortstop Arjun Nimmala or right-hander Trey Yesavage, widely considered their top two minor leaguers. Bannon mentions left-hander Johnny King as another high-ranked prospect the club held onto.
    However, Ross Atkins and Co did trade several promising youngsters, including pitching prospects Khal Stephen, Juaron Watts-Brown, and Kendry Rojas, as well as major league position players Alan Roden and Will Wagner. Jays Centre's Bryan Jaeger recently wrote about what the team gave up in Stephen, while Simon Li did the same for Rojas and Roden.
    What do you make of the report that the Blue Jays were open to trading their top-ranked prospects? Do you wish Atkins was more aggressive at the deadline, or are you glad he kept the likes of Nimmala, Yesavage, and King in the organization? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 
    Featured image courtesy of the Vancouver Canadians.
    Leo Morgenstern
    According to a report from MLB.com's Keegan Matheson, the Blue Jays are promoting Trey Yesavage to Triple-A Buffalo. The 22-year-old right-hander is Jays Centre's no. 2 prospect in the organization.
    Yesavage was Toronto's first-round pick in the 2024 draft. He began his professional career earlier this year at Single-A Dunedin, and after stops at High-A Vancouver and Double-A New Hampshire, he has received his third promotion of the year. 
    While it's unusual to see a player rise up the minor league ranks so quickly, it's hardly surprising considering how well Yesavage has performed at every step along the way. In 19 games (18 starts) across three levels, he has a 3.01 ERA, a 2.50 FIP, and an utterly ridiculous 42.3% strikeout rate. While his ERA was a little higher with New Hampshire, he continued missing bats and limiting hard contact.  
    Earlier this month, manager John Schneider named Yesavage as a possible candidate to offer some right-handed depth for the major league club (per The Athletic's Mitch Bannon). He is now one step closer to reaching the show. 
    Featured image courtesy of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.
    Leo Morgenstern
    When the Blue Jays designated Ali Sánchez for assignment on Tuesday, they were surely hoping he'd pass through waivers and eventually make his way back to their minor league system. Unfortunately, their division rivals in Boston put in a claim.
    Sánchez signed a minor league deal with Toronto in December. Over 54 games at Triple-A Buffalo, he hit .279 with a .766 OPS and 107 wRC+, perfectly acceptable numbers for a glove-first catcher. He also earned two call-ups to the big league squad, one in May and the other just last week.
    Out of options, Sánchez had to be DFA'd for the Blue Jays to remove him from their active roster. The first time they did so, he passed through waivers unclaimed, and after rejecting an outright assignment, he re-signed on a new minor league contract days later. This time, however, the Blue Jays weren't so lucky.
    Toronto has one of the best catching tandems in the game in All-Star Alejandro Kirk and shockingly productive backup Tyler Heineman. Still, the team clearly valued Sánchez as a depth piece, as demonstrated by the fact that they briefly kept him around as a third catcher on their 26-man roster when they were worried Heineman might have suffered a concussion.
    Now, the Jays no longer have Sánchez as an option should Kirk or Heineman miss time. Instead, veteran Christian Bethancourt or prospect Brandon Valenzuela is likely the next man up. Bethancourt, 33, has played in parts of eight big league seasons, while Valenzuela, acquired from the Padres at the trade deadline, has yet to make his MLB debut.
    The Jays have a little less depth without Sánchez, but they will hope not to need any catchers other than Kirk and Heineman down the stretch. If they do, it could be our first chance to see what Valenzuela can do in Blue Jays blue.
    Featured image courtesy of  Kevin Jairaj, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    The Toronto Blue Jays announced today that veteran reliever Chad Green has cleared waivers and been released. He is now a free agent.
    Green, 34, was designated for assignment on Tuesday to make room on the roster for trade acquisition Seranthony Domínguez. Any of the league's 29 other teams could have put in a claim for Green, but with approximately $3.15 million remaining on his contract this season, it's no surprise he cleared waivers. 
    The right-hander was one of the better relief pitchers in baseball during his years with the Yankees from 2016-22 (3.17 ERA in 383.2 IP), but he's never looked quite the same since his return from Tommy John surgery in 2023. In 2025, he's been one of the least effective relievers in the game. His 5.56 ERA is the fifth-highest among qualified AL bullpen arms, and no pitcher in MLB has given up more home runs than Green (14) out of the 'pen.
    Did the Blue Jays make the right call to part ways with Green? Should they have done it sooner? Have your say in the comments section below.
    Featured image courtesy of Jeff Curry, Imagn Images.
    Leo Morgenstern
    According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, right-handed reliever Phil Maton remains a top trade candidate with hours to go before this evening's deadline. Goold writes that "talks involving" Maton continued late into the night yesterday and names the Blue Jays as one team involved in those discussions. 
    The Blue Jays had been linked to former Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley before the Mets acquired his services on Wednesday. Meanwhile, I suggested earlier this week that former Blue Jay (and now former Cardinal) Steven Matz would be a great trade target for Toronto, but he has since become the newest member of the Red Sox. That leaves Maton as the top trade chip left in St. Louis's bullpen. 
    So, could the Jays strike a deal to bring Maton to Toronto? The righty might not be a Helsley or Jhoan Duran-level acquisition, but he has a 2.35 ERA and 2.55 xERA in 40 games this year and a 3.10 ERA in 179 appearances over the past three seasons. There is little doubt he would improve the Jays' bullpen, and it's no secret that Ross Atkins is looking to do exactly that ahead of the deadline.
    Should the Blue Jays try to strike a deal with the Cardinals for Phil Maton? Or is there another bullpen arm you'd rather they target? Join the conversation in our comments section.
    Featured image courtesy of Jerome Miron, Imagn Images.
    Matthew Lenz
    The Toronto Blue Jays front office is going to be especially busy this week as we approach the 48-hour mark to the trade deadline. Just today, they've been rumored to be talking with the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals regarding their high-leverage relievers. And they're not stopping there.
    Jim Bowden is reporting that the Blue Jays "are speed dialing the [Minnesota] Twins at an annoying level with continued interest" in multiple players. He also mentions four other teams, including two AL East rivals.
    The headliner would be starter Joe Ryan, who is having a Cy Young caliber season to this point, sporting a 2.82 ERA (3.17 FIP) and a 23.8% strikeout-minus-walk (K-BB) rate. He is controllable through 2027. However, he's not the only high-end asset the Twins have to offer, and the Blue Jays are interested in.
    They're also calling on "basically the whole bullpen", which focuses on Jhoan Duran, Griffin Jax, and possibly even Danny Coulombe. All three have been elite producers for the Twins this season, and Duran and Jax are controllable through 2027. Coulombe, a lefty specialist, will be a free agent at season's end.
    Lastly, Bowden reports that they're also calling on outfielder Harrison Bader and super-utility player Willi Castro. Both players have been plus contributors for the Twins. Bader is carrying a .776 OPS with 12 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He also provides a plus glove in the outfield. Castro, who is less strong defensively but much more versatile, has a .761 OPS with 10 home runs and nine stolen bases. Both players will be free agents at the end of the season.
    The Blue Jays have been tied to MANY names today alone. Who should they prioritize? Join the conversation in the comments.


    Matthew Lenz
    For the second time today, the Toronto Blue Jays are being tied to a high-end reliever. Earlier in the day, it was reported that they were in discussions with the Pittsburgh Pirates for a reliever – likely David Bednar and/or Dennis Santana.
    Not long after, Mark Feinsand reported that the Blue Jays are one of many suitors for St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley.
    Helsley has appeared in 36 games with an ERA of 3.00, though that is partially inflated by a stretch in June in which he gave up an earned run in four consecutive appearances. He has a FIP of 3.50, and he carries a strikeout-minus-walk rate of 17.2% due to an elevated walk rate. He has recorded 21 saves this season with a WPA of 1.50. He is set to be a free agent at season's end.
    Should the Blue Jays prioritize Helsley or one of the Pirates' relievers? Join the conversation in the comments!
    Featured image courtesy of Jeff Curry-Imagn Images.
    Matthew Lenz
    The Toronto Blue Jays will be looking to bolster their pitching staff before the trade deadline - both the starting rotation and bullpen.
    Jon Morosi of MLB Network is reporting that "the [Toronto] Blue Jays and [Pittsburgh] Pirates have discussed trade possibilities that would involve a reliever going to Toronto."
    Morosi points out that David Bednar and Dennis Santana are the Pirates' two best relievers. Bednar has appeared in 42 games this season pitching 38 innings. His ERA is 2.37, he holds an impressive FIP of 1.96, and has recorded 17 saves. Bednar was placed on the 15-day injured list on June 23 (retroactive to June 20) with a strained left oblique muscle, but has since returned. He is under team control through 2026.
    Santana has appeared in 45 games this season pitching 45 1/3 innings. His ERA is 1.39 and his FIP is 2.43. He has recorded five saves and 12 holds. He is controllable through 2027.
    Leo Morgenstern
    When ESPN's Jeff Passan included Steven Kwan on his list of this summer's top trade candidates, he noted that "Cleveland doesn't want to deal him" but acknowledged that "the Guardians at the very least will listen to see if teams are willing to blow them away with offers."
    Unsurprisingly, several teams have already come up in trade rumors involving the two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner, who remains under team control via arbitration through the 2027 season. The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reports that the Blue Jays, as well as the Dodgers, Phillies, and Padres, are "in the mix" to land Kwan.
    Jays Centre's Owen Hill recently wrote about the possibility of Toronto trading for Kwan, noting that "his style of play would fit seamlessly with what the Jays already do well" and that he would "immediately put a stop to the revolving door in the leadoff spot."
    Meanwhile, Jays Centre's Jesse Burrill included Kwan in his piece about the pros and cons of various potential trade deadline targets. Burrill pointed out that "you don’t have to squint very hard to see why the Blue Jays would be interested in a player like Kwan," but also recognized that this team already has a crowded outfield, and a player like Kwan certainly won't come cheap.
    So, do you think the Blue Jays should target Kwan ahead of Thursday's trade deadline? Or are you concerned his price tag will be too high and think the Jays would be better off pursuing other upgrades? Join the discussion in the comments section!
    Featured image courtesy of Denny Medley-Imagn Images.
    Simon Li
    The Jays Centre number seven prospect, Kendry Rojas, has only pitched 36 2/3 innings since coming back from the injured list, and only 18 2/3 in Double-A New Hampshire. That was enough for the Blue Jays front office to give him the bump up to Buffalo, as Rojas has been almost unhittable, with a 3.86 ERA/1.86 FIP at Double-A with a 40% strikeout rate and only a 2.7% walk rate.
    After Rojas sat at 96 mph in the spring breakout game, people were hoping to see that the velocity gains were real. Rojas has consistently shown strong velocity with his fastballs, sitting at 95.5 mph in Low-A and 95 mph in Double-A. The extra velocity to his fastballs allows his secondaries to play up as hitters have less time to react to his slider and changeup. Rojas will be Rule-5 eligible after the end of this season, so he'll need to be added to the 40-man soon. If all goes well, he may push his way onto the major league roster for the playoffs when rosters expand. 
    Matthew Lenz
    The Toronto Blue Jays are looking to bolster their starting rotation over the next six days. So, it's not necessarily a position of need at the moment. If they learned anything from earlier this year, it's that they need to have a plan in place in case injuries strike again.
    After being tied to the San Diego Padres' Dylan Cease earlier in the week, Hector Gomez is reporting that the Toronto Blue Jays have inquired about Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.
    Alcantara's 2025 season has been a challenging one as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. Through 20 starts and 104 innings pitched, Alcantara has a high 6.66 ERA, which is two runs higher than his FIP, suggesting he's been particularly unlucky with balls in play or hasn't received strong defensive support. His strikeout rate (K%) is down to 16.7%, and his walk rate (BB%) is up to 8.9%, leading to an abysmal K-BB% of 7.8%. While there have been a few promising starts, he has largely struggled to find the consistency that made him a Cy Young winner. He is controllable through next season with a $17.3 million salary.
    Would you rather see the Blue Jays add Cease or Alcantara? Join the conversation in the comments!
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