Blue Jays Player 'Most Likely to Be Traded' Named

The bats have come alive, and the Toronto Blue Jays are riding high after a sweep of the San Diego Padres. But let's face it, their 25-24 record, and middling season up until these last three games, is not proof that this team has what it takes to make their way into the playoffs. They're still two games back of a Wild Card berth in a crowded middle-of-the-pack in the American League.

If they should fall out of contention, the one player who is 'Most Likely to be Traded', per Kerry Miller in Bleacher Report, is Bo Bichette.

He's still not convinced the Jays will ever "throw in the towel" on this season, no matter where they are at the trade deadline (this organization seems to have a deluded sense of where they are contention-wise every year), but if they're struggling at the end of July, the calls will be intense to get some assets for their pending star free agent shortstop.

While there was a big ballyhoo about re-signing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for the past year (they finally got it done last month), talk of an extension for Bichette has been scarce.

The former two-time All-Star, however, has shrugged off his disastrous 2024 season (when he batted just .225 with only four home runs), and is now back to familiar territory for him, hitting .289, right at his career average, with a .752 OPS, not too far off from his career mark of .794. He's already matched last year's HR total (though it's still low for him, at four, after averaging 25 in his previous three full seasons), and is on pace for about 80 RBIs while batting out of the leadoff spot.

Bichette's trade value has been fully restored, it would seem, and teams in need of a star shortstop (we're looking at you, LA Dodgers), will likely come to the Jays armed with some enticing offers later this summer.

36-year-old right-hander Chris Bassitt, also a pending UFA, would be another strong target on the trade market if the Jays go that route. He's having a terrific season as well.