Report: Blue Jays Respond to Alek Manoah Trade Inquires

Alek Manoah was a top 3 finalist for the Cy Young Award in 2022 after a dominant season that included a memorable All-Star appearance. But something changed in 2023 and the one-time ace of the Toronto Blue Jays staff had a fall from grace the magnitude of which has rarely been seen. 

Manoah was sent to the minors twice last season, and wound up with a 3-9 record, a 5.87 ERA, a 1.74 WHIP, all while walking an abhorrent 6.1 batters per nine innings. But this offseason, despite the uncertainty surrounding his future, major league teams have been trying to pry him loose from the Jays with low-ball trade offers. According to a report, Toronto is having none of it.

Teams have asked the Blue Jays about Alek Manoah’s availability via trade, but sources say the Jays are telling clubs they have no plans to move him.

I’m told Manoah has had a very good offseason of workouts. He’s expected to be in the Jays’ rotation. @MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) February 1, 2024

MLB Insider Jon Morosi reports that his sources tell him that Toronto is telling other teams that "they have no plans to move him." 

The Jays are expecting a big bounce-back season from Manoah, who "has had a very good offseason of workouts," says Morosi. The 6'6" pitcher has been posting workout videos during the offseason in which he looks to be in great shape. 

The Alek Manoah bounce back is going to DESTROY the haters 💪

Look out #Bluejays fans, our KING is coming back!! pic.twitter.com/BTZUEEfqAp

— Blue Jays Today (@TodayJays) January 23, 2024

Manoah will come into camp as the expected No. 5 starter in the Toronto rotation, behind Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jose Berrios and Yusei Kikuchi (who had his own renaissance year last season).

Manoah was first sent to the minors in early June after posting a 6.36 ERA in his first 13 starts of the season, then came back and continued to struggle, leading to another assignment to the minors in August. That, however, led to a mysterious situation where Manoah didn't actually report to, or pitch for, Triple-A Buffalo, leaving everyone in the dark the rest of the season as to just what was up with the former first-round pick (11th overall, 2019 MLB Draft). 

We'll find out just where things stand come spring training later this month. 

Photo: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports