The Blue Jays are coming off a rough season. Toronto is under .500 and seemingly headed for last place, a very disappointing result for a team coming off back-to-back playoff appearances that believed it was in the middle of its contention window. Toronto had little choice but to trade at the deadline when it became clear that they would be nowhere near the postseason.
Even when they bought veteran pieces, the front office wasn't willing to overhaul. Most of the Jays' trades have been sent by upcoming free agents (eg Yusei Kikuchi, Justin Turner, I'm Garcia, Trevor Richards, Danny Jansen, Kevin Kiermaier). They moved several role players under contract or team control over this offseason, and they shipped out Isiah Kiner-Falefa again Nate Pearson. However, they never seem to be close to dealing with any key players who could end up being there in 2025.
Chris Bassitt by another veteran. The right-hander is in the second season of a three-year, $63MM free agent contract. He is playing for $18MM in salary and will make the same amount next year. Bassitt finished 10th in Cy Young voting last season. This year's career has been solid but not impressive, as he owns a 4.34 ERA in 139 frames.
There has been some argument for the Jays to shop Bassitt this summer, especially if they can find a taker for his entire '25 salary. While he's still an effective pitcher, he'll enter his age-36 campaign on the roster next season. Sportsnet's Ben Nicholson-Smith reported five days before the deadline that the Jays had no intention of moving Bassitt or Kevin Gausmanhowever. Neither pitcher found themselves in any trade rumors.
In an interview with Jomboy Media's Chris Rose last week (YouTube link), Bassitt said Toronto's front office made it clear early in the process that he would not be traded. “There were (were) many articles and many people saying that I am going or that I should go. They told me not to go,” Bassitt said. Although he did not specify the exact time of that conversation, he added that “he knew the time” before the no-movement deadline. Bassitt admitted to some disappointment that he was not in a position to contend for a playoff spot this year, but added that he is optimistic about the organization's desire to make another attempt to compete in 2025.
As talented as Bassitt is, he is the Blue Jays' third most important player who is in free agency after next season. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. again Bo Bichette will be the top two pieces of the 2025-26 free agent class. GM Ross Atkins made it clear early in the offseason that the Jays had no interest in trading them. There is no indication that they have reconsidered as the team has come out strong in the race for the 24 playoffs.
Asked by Rose if the Jays should have traded or extended Guerrero this summer, Bassitt expressed hope that the Jays will be able to keep him around for a long time. “I don't know this, I don't want to speak for him on this, but I think Vladdy wants to be a Blue Jay his whole career. I don't think you want to go,” answered the pitcher. “I don't think it's a big, big, big rush to do an extension. It is clear that they are not selling him because they do not want him to wear another uniform. … I think both sides want to be together. I don't think it's a bad relationship.“
Guerrero is playing this year with a salary of $19.9MM. He should exceed $25MM and could be closer to $30MM in his final season of arbitration. After a slow start to the season, Guerrero has been miserable since early May. He hit .317/.390/.552 with 26 home runs in 543 plate appearances. This was Guerrero's best year since his 2021 MVP runner-up campaign. He is eligible for free agency before his age-27 season and could command a deal in excess of $300MM.
Over the weekend, Bob Nightengale of USA Today wrote that the Jays remain hopeful of extending Guerrero before he hits free agency. Nightengale suggests there is little hope for an extension with Bichette, writing that the Jays could make a trade offer to the shortstop during next winter if they feel they will make progress on an extension.
This can be a bad time to trade or expand. Bichette had the worst season of his career. He is hitting .222/.275/.320 with just four homers in 331 trips to the plate. The two-time All-Star has had two players on the injured list due to right calf issues. He has been out for a month with a calf strain and it looks like he won't be back until September.
Unlike Guerrero, Bichette has a fixed salary for next year. He will make $16.5MM in the final season of the three-year deal he signed to buy out his arbitration years. There would still be enough trade interest if the Jays bought him. The free agent shortstop category, titled Willy Adams again Ha-Seong Kimit is not as barren as it was this past winter. Things quickly fall apart after Kim, however, and not many everyday shorttops seem likely to be on the trading floor. Bichette arguably still carries a higher offensive ceiling than any other shortstop that could reasonably be acquired in free agency or trade.
Whether that will lead to an agreement remains to be seen. Atkins said as recently as last month that the Jays hoped to keep Guerrero and Bichette long-term. Jon Heyman of the New York Post wrote just before the trade deadline that past extension talks with both players did not make much progress. Heyman suggested at the time that the Jays didn't have a good chance of extending Bichette — which is consistent with Nightengale's recent report. Even so, trading Bichette will dig another hole for a team that believes it can bounce back next season. Rookie Leo Jiménez took over at shortstop last month. He is hitting .221/.307/.368 with subpar strikeout (32.1%) and walk rates (5.5%) in 34 games.
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