Trading players on expiring contracts is a must if struggles continue

Coming inches from winning a World Series in November 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays‘ 2026 season hasn’t gone according to plan.

Entering Sunday’s series finale against the Texas Rangers, they are 39-44, and there’s a distinct possibility they could be swept. They’re still in the race, just two games behind the final wild card spot, but the 2026 Jays look nothing like the magical team from last season.

They’ve failed to get that big hit all season long. With runners in scoring position, the Jays are batting .237/.305/.365, which translates to an 83 wRC+, a Major League Baseball-worst. Because of their lack of clutch hits, the Jays haven’t been able to get above .500, though they have reached the mark twice and carried a lead into the ninth in the following game, blowing the chance both times.

Injuries plagued the team early in the season, and they’re still missing Addison Barger. But over the midway point of the season and with a fully healthy team for a while now, their lack of success boils down to their stars not performing like stars.

George Springer took a dip in the fountain of youth last season, leading the team with 32 home runs and slashing .309/.399/.560 for a 166 wRC+. He’s slashing just .216/.307/.366 with eight home runs in 267 plate appearances this season, good for a 91 wRC+.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a good 2025 season, slashing .292/.381/.467 with 23 home runs, then went on to have one of the best postseasons in MLB history. Entering Sunday’s game, he’s batting .271/.352/.354 with four home runs, good for a 98 wRC+. All four of those home runs have been on the road.

Alejandro Kirk has also regressed, but he missed significant time with injury. Last season, Daulton Varsho hit 20 home runs in just 271 plate appearances, but he has just seven in 263 plate appearances with his defensive play falling off a cliff.

It’s not limited to position players, either, as Kevin Gausman has a 5.40 ERA and 4.51 FIP in his 11 starts since April 30th. Trey Yesavage is still pitching well, but he’s struggling to strike out batters while issuing far too many free passes.

All of this is to say that despite being just two games behind the final wild card, they just haven’t been a good baseball team this season. With the trade deadline rapidly approaching, the front office needs to sit down and be honest with themselves when it comes down to their trade deadline plans.

Thanks to the last time they sold at the deadline, 2024, they have prospects on the cusp of a call-up, with some, namely Sean Keys and Yohendrick Piñango, already earning that call-up.

If they do end up selling, there’s still a remote chance they can end up being a competitive team and making a push for a playoff spot. They have five expiring contracts of note, Springer, Varsho, Gausman, Shane Bieber, and Yimi García. Moving those players in a sellers market will get the Jays their fair share of good prospects, though García and Bieber may not have that much value anymore.

The Jays also have MLB-ready prospects/young players who can take over those respective roles. Keys or Piñango can fill in as the designated hitter, and even Charles McAdoo and/or Jay Harry can get some plate appearances. Harry, Jonatan Clase, and/or RJ Schreck can play centre field as Varsho’s replacement.

On the pitching side, Lázaro Estrada, Chad Dallas, Jake Bloss, and Adam Macko are all on the cusp, or have already made an impact on the 2026 Blue Jays. Gage Stanifer, Ricky Tiedemann, Nolan Perry, and a handful of other intriguing pitching prospects could also get a look.

At the end of the day, their play over the next few weeks will dictate what they do before the 2026 trade deadline. Even with heavy expectations and being within striking range of a wild card spot, selling off soon-to-be free agents to increase the playing time of prospects may be the ideal play here.

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