General manager Ross Atkins of the Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays have won five of their last six games, yet their 28-30 record keeps them just below the .500 mark, trailing the Rays for the last spot in the AL East. As highlighted by Darragh McDonald for MLBTR, the team faces tough decisions as the trade deadline approaches, especially if their performance doesn’t improve swiftly.
One major move Toronto could consider if they decide to sell is trading either Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Bo Bichette. These players have been the face of the franchise, but with free agency looming after the 2025 season, their long-term future with the team is uncertain. The team’s overall struggles and hesitance to commit financially to players with inconsistent performances further complicate the situation.
However, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins dismissed the idea of trading Guerrero or Bichette in a recent interview on MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM, emphasizing that the team believes in their future and hopes they can stay long-term. Atkins mentioned ongoing dialogue regarding potential multi-year deals and expressed confidence that these discussions will continue.
Atkins’ comments suggest that moving Guerrero or Bichette at the deadline is unlikely. He voiced disappointment over a recent report from MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, which quoted an anonymous AL executive saying Toronto wasn’t opposed to trading one of their stars but had set very high demands.
Atkins didn’t deny that conversations had occurred but clarified that other teams had initiated the talks, not the Blue Jays. He explained, “It just doesn’t make any sense for us… There will be occasional times when you’re talking to other executives, and they’ll ask if we’ll consider it, and we just say it’s not something that we have spent any time on. Because they are so talented and such great teammates, they are attractive to other teams, so [others] will call.”
It’s common for executives to explore the availability of players out of due diligence. While a trade may not seem logical now, if the Blue Jays continue to struggle, discussions initiated by other teams could become more relevant as the deadline approaches.
Atkins expressed optimism about the team’s future, noting that both Guerrero and Bichette have been improving after slow starts in April. Guerrero, in particular, has been hitting .366/.458/.475 in 118 plate appearances and 26 games from May 1 through June 1, despite only two home runs in that span. Bichette has also improved with a .318/.356/.471 slash line in his last 90 PA.
Despite their stars’ improved performances, the Blue Jays still struggle to score runs. George Springer continues to struggle, Daulton Varsho has cooled off after a solid April, and Justin Turner’s bat has gone cold over the last month. The team also ranks near the bottom of the league in hitting with runners in scoring position.
In a bid to boost offensive production, the Jays’ lineup on Sunday featured Guerrero at third base for the first time since 2019. Atkins explained this as a strategic move to create more offensive opportunities. Manager John Schneider indicated Guerrero might play third base every five or six games, allowing more flexibility with first base and DH spots for other players.
Following Matt Chapman’s departure in free agency, Ernie Clement and offseason signee Isiah Kiner-Falefa have shared the third base role, with occasional appearances by Turner, Cavan Biggio, Addison Barger, and now Guerrero. Kiner-Falefa has also been valuable at second base, delivering strong defense and a .268/.315/.399 slash line in 182 PA, marking a potential career-high 105 wRC+.
The upcoming weeks will be critical for the Blue Jays as they navigate these decisions and aim to climb the standings in the AL East.
