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Former MLB GM floats Vladdy trade package the Blue Jays would be
foolish to turn down
(HTM) Source
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With the Toronto Blue Jays off to a miserable start to their 2024 MLB
season, they should really start considering anything on the table
that could help the team to success in any way going forward. So if
that means even doing a potential huge shakeup, then so be it.
One way to implement such a move is by trading away a key player from
the current roster to send a message to everyone on the team that the
organization is firmly committed to improving and winning, even if it
required a huge sacrifice.
With that in mind, former MLB GM Jim Bowden, now also a columnist for
The Athletic, recently came up with a big-time trade proposal
(subscription required) involving one of the faces of the Jays
franchise in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. that could satisfy said huge
shakeup. The trade transaction involved the Houston Astros and would
go as follows:
Ever since his MVP-calibre season three years ago, Guerrero has failed
to come close to reproducing those numbers for the past couple of
seasons. Despite still providing solid production overall, many of the
Jaysâ faithful have been disappointed that he could no longer
consistently perform at the level that he displayed during his 2021
season. Not helping his cause was the fact that Guerrero has been off
to a slow start for 2024, hitting just .239 with 4 home runs and 15
RBI in 35 games, creating even more frustrations in the overall
fanbase. So perhaps with a change of scenery where the main focus
isnât all on him is all that he needs to rediscover his previous
dominant form. At the same time, any extension talks between Guerrero
and the Jays has yet to pick up any steam, with his current contract
set to expire in 2025. So if his future with the team is still in
murky waters, a potential trade is certainly plausible.
For the key piece coming back in Joey Loperfido, the Jays would be
getting an MLB-ready player with untapped potential waiting to be
unearthed. Ranked sixth among the Astros top prospects list according
to MLB Pipeline, Loperfido appears to be the real deal as he possesses
the elite combination of both speed and power, along with the ability
to play at first, second and all three outfield positions. He earned
his promotion to the big leagues just recently as the Astros
desperately needed offensive help at the first base position. At the
time, Loperfido was leading the minor leagues with 13 home runs over
25 games during the month of April. On top of that, he is also coming
off a year in which he was named the Astrosâ Minor League Player of
the Year when he batted .278 with an .880 OPS, 25 home runs and 78 RBI
in 124 games played. For Loperfido to replace the likes of José Abreu
and Jon Singleton on the current Astros roster, along with all the
media hype he had received, it signalled the fact that he was ready
for prime time. Moreover, his potent bat was indeed legit, as
witnessed with his sweet swing below.
In the case for Kenedy Corona, he would help further bolster an area
of need in the Jaysâ organization, which is valuable outfield depth.
For the No. 12 prospect on the Astrosâ top prospects list, defense
and speed is his main calling card, although his power potential has
significantly improved over the past couple of years. Last season, he
posted a .251 average with a .789 OPS, along with 22 home runs, 65 RBI
and 32 stolen bases over 117 minor league games. Corona projects to be
a potential 20-30 player when he reaches the major leagues and would
serve as a solid starting outfield option or a strong fourth
outfielder option if his bat potential doesnât pan out.
So if the Jays continue to struggle and fall further out of the
playoff race, they would be foolish not to consider such a trade
proposal that could end up helping both clubs if the opportunity
indeed presents itself. Guerrero would become a great supporting piece
to the Astrosâ offensive attack, whereas the Jays would get
Guerreroâs immediate replacement that comes with added speed and
position flexibility, together with a speedy prospect to help with
their outfield situation as well. As a result, it would essentially be
a franchise-altering move, but if things continue to remain stagnant,
it may be the necessary blockbuster to get the Jays back on track in
their eventual pursuit of a World Series title.
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