The Toronto Blue Jays are off to a slow start and could be sellers at the trade deadline if they don’t turn it around, according to one Major League Baseball insider.
ESPN’s MLB insider Buster Only believes the outfield market at the trade deadline will be thin. With that, he expects the Blue Jays to get a lot of calls and interest in star outfielder Daulton Varsho.
“The would-be opportunists could take advantage of a really soft outfield market and get value if they’re willing to dangle outfielders under team control beyond this season,” Olney wrote. “For example, the Twins could set a solid price for Buxton, and the Jays would probably draw a lot of interest for Daulton Varsho, an elite defender who won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2026 season.”
Varsho is earning $8.6 million in 2025 and has another year of club control, which could entice a contending team to offer a significant trade package for the outfielder. Olney also notes that the outfield market in free agency behind Kyle Tucker isn’t that good, which could entice teams to make a push to acquire outfielders via trade, which is why Varsho should get plenty of interest.
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However, the Jays could also hold onto Varsho in hopes of competing in 2026, or even making a playoff push this season, as Toronto is just one game back of a Wild Card spot.
Varsho is a one-time Gold Glove Award winner but is considered one of the best defensive outfielders in baseball. This season, he’s hitting .194 with 3 home runs and 7 RBIs in just 31 at-bats as he missed the beginning of the season due to an injury.
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