It’s crazy rumour season and the Blue Jays are mentioned in an early front runner for a ridiculously unlikely rumour…but, what if…
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The Toronto Blue Jays are likely to be mentioned in a number of rumours this offseason, so get ready. The team made it to the first round of the playoffs, but were eliminated in heartbreaking fashion. Many feel this team is far better than where they finished in 2022. For that reason, the early discourse is whether the team will approach the CBT threshold boldy or not. Everything we’ve heard would indicate they could for the right player(s). We’ve also heard they could be more active in trade talks. All of this means lots of potentially crazy, and unlikely, trade rumours. One such has surfaced and it is not clear how much truth there is to it, but it is fun to dream on.
AA has had discussions with 3 other teams about the possible Acuna trade, all American League teams…
Mariners
Orioles
Blue Jays
Again, he's receiving pushback on any deal from around the org.
All 3 teams have a mix of MLB talent and prospects that could be sent back in return. https://t.co/KdWzZWo4Kq— BALLCAP Sports (@JimRileyLive) November 10, 2022
Obviously, trading Ronald Acuna Jr.to Toronto is highly unlikely, given Atlanta extended him for 8yrs/$100m, keeping in town through the 2028 season. Clearly they want him. He has become one of the young faces of baseball and the Atlanta team. Heck, even some within the organization question the move:
Source: The Braves ARE considering trading Ronald Acuna Jr. (this from the same source that gave me Olson to ATL a week before it went down). However, AA is receiving pushback from around the organization for obvious reasons.
— BALLCAP Sports (@JimRileyLive) November 10, 2022
So, I will acknowledge the fact that the person tweeting this is not part of any major news outlet and isn’t one of the “go to” sources for MLB news. However, we are seeing more and more that people outside of the major sources are getting information. This person knew about the Matt Olson to Atlanta deal a week before it happened. That might not be important since deals can come together in less than a day. But, in a world where everyday people are breaking the signing of George Springer, we can’t dismiss these things out of hand. That is not to say that we can necessarily believe it, or course.
The logic of the deal is odd. Why would Atlanta look to move one of the best young players in baseball? Some point to his contract and the ones being handed out since he signed his, that there might be some ill feelings. That seems an unlikely reason to deal him. Perhaps, Alex Anthopoulos is looking to shed some salary and recently traded for Sam Hilliard in an effort to insulate himself against someone blowing him away with an offer.
And, any deal that gets made would have to be a good one. Acuna Jr is still 24 years old and has 6 more years of team control. He’s already put up 18.4 fWAR since joining the league and has a career OPS of .887. He’s got power and speed and has good outfield glove. He’s a 3 time All Star and Rookie of the Year. He’s 24. There is no doubt he would be an excellent add to this Blue Jays team.
Year | Age | G | PA | R | H | 2B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | Awards |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | 20 | 111 | 487 | 78 | 127 | 26 | 26 | 64 | 16 | 45 | 123 | .293 | .366 | .552 | .917 | MVP-12,RoY-1 |
2019 | 21 | 156 | 715 | 127 | 175 | 22 | 41 | 101 | 37 | 76 | 188 | .280 | .365 | .518 | .883 | AS,MVP-5,SS |
2020 | 22 | 46 | 202 | 46 | 40 | 11 | 14 | 29 | 8 | 38 | 60 | .250 | .406 | .581 | .987 | MVP-12,SS |
2021 | 23 | 82 | 360 | 72 | 84 | 19 | 24 | 52 | 17 | 49 | 85 | .283 | .394 | .596 | .990 | AS |
2022 | 24 | 119 | 533 | 71 | 124 | 24 | 15 | 50 | 29 | 53 | 126 | .266 | .351 | .413 | .764 | AS |
5 Yr | 5 Yr | 514 | 2297 | 394 | 550 | 102 | 120 | 296 | 107 | 261 | 582 | .277 | .370 | .517 | .887 | |
162 | 162 | 162 | 724 | 124 | 173 | 32 | 38 | 93 | 34 | 82 | 183 | .277 | .370 | .517 | .887 |
Generated 11/11/2022.
All of that being said, it is still an odd connection to say the Blue Jays have interest. Firstly, Acuna Jr is a right handed batter and the Blue Jays have been apparently in need of a lefty bat for a while now. Of course, good hitters are good hitters and he definitely is one. Perhaps, as Steve Fek mentioned on the most recent On Fek Circle, the Blue Jays could just compile a juggernaut offense and bludgeon their way to a championship. So, if we squint, we might be able to see some sense there.
It falls apart, though, when you consider that Acuna Jr hasn’t really played CF since 2020 when he made 30 starts there. He’s been relegated to right field duties. If Toronto is going to bring in an impact bat, it would make more sense if he played CF. Now, the club could feel confident that Springer is their everyday CF in 2023 and deal with moving him later. It may be a problem they have to face, but they could feel they don’t have to face it right now. Another option could be to use Teoscar Hernandez or Lourdes Gurriel Jr.in trade talks, which would open up a spot for Acuna Jr.
If that is the case, then Toronto could very well be in on Acuna Jr, if he’s even made available. Atlanta would have to come to an agreement on whether they want to trade someone so important to the team. It’s a bold move, but what else would you expect from AA? He might be the most bold GM in baseball. It could be an opportunity to gain some serious talent in return. For what it’s worth (I tend not to put all my faith in it) Baseball Trade Values suggests a palatable deal:
Having Acuna Jr signed long term makes a huge difference in trade talks. We’re not talking about a year or two of team control, here. We’re talking 6. This would be the definition of a ‘win now’ move because the future talent the Blue Jays would have to give up is not small. It could hurt a bit. Trading Gabriel Moreno and Rickey Tiedemann would definitely hurt Toronto. Losing Espinal could be considered the cost of doing business and nothing to shed a tear over. Trading Moreno allows the Blue Jays to keep their two headed catching monster in place for a championship run. Tiedemann made big strides in 2022 and would be tough to part with. But, you have to give to get and Atlanta is in a position to ask for the moon.
That is why the Blue Jays looking to acquire Ronald Acuna Jr.is crazy talk. It doesn’t really make sense. We can allow ourselves to dream, though. Big moves are coming and it would be crazy if this deal happened, but it would be impactful for the Blue Jays. They have the means to pull off such a trade, but blowing a large portion of prospect talent for a player that is really superfluous to this team makes little sense. There are other more obvious needs to be addressed. But, the fact that it makes any sense at all, little as it may be, is why the offseason is so much fun. It’s crazy, but in the early stages of having no baseball in our lives, it is fun to drool over, if nothing else. I don’t believe the rumour, but I can still allow myself to say, ‘what if…’
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