No one associated with the Toronto Blue Jays wants to hear the word “sell” yet, but it’s still a possibility on the table.
The Blue Jays have mostly seen positive vibes early in the 2025 season, thanks to Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s $500 million extension and an above .500 start. But this was a last-place team a year ago that sold at the trade deadline, so they’re certainly not out of the woods just yet.
Because Guerrero’s extension helps solidify their future direction, the Blue Jays are sure to hold onto hope until the last possible instant. But if they’re truly buried by the deadline, they have some tremendously intriguing players to consider dealing.
In fact, one baseball writer believes the Blue Jays could trade the pitcher who has had the best season of any player on the entire Toronto roster so far in 2025.
On Tuesday, ESPN’s David Schoenfield named Blue Jays veteran righty Chris Bassitt as an early “trade candidate” three months in advance of the July deadline.
“In the Blue Jays’ case, things would really have to go sour for them to surrender at the trade deadline, but they do have (an interesting would-be free agent) in Bassitt (off to a tremendous start with a 0.77 ERA through four outings),” Schoenfield wrote.
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Bassitt, 36, has turned back the clock to his 2021 season with the Oakland Athletics. He’s racked up 31 strikeouts in his 31 2/3 innings, and his ridiculous 1.03 FIP is the best among all qualified pitchers in the majors.
The three-year, $63 million contract the Blue Jays gave Bassitt seemed like an overpay at times, but he’s justifying it with his performance now.
The most ideal way to pay it off would be for the vet to lead his team into the postseason, but recouping big-time prospects in a deadline trade would still be a win if that’s what it comes to in Toronto.
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