Tip of the Tower
Fansided

Toronto Blue Jays: J.A. Happ will be hot commodity at trade deadline

By Paul Taylor

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 27: Starting pitcher J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the second inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Blue Jays won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 27: Starting pitcher J.A. Happ #33 of the Toronto Blue Jays throws a pitch in the second inning during a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on May 27, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Blue Jays won 5-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

As the Toronto Blue Jays continue to see their challenge fade away, expect J.A. Happ to receive a lot of attention as the trade deadline draws closer.

With every passing game, the Toronto Blue Jays seem to be taking another step towards being sellers at the non-waiver trade deadline. As such, thoughts are gradually turning towards who might be on their way out of Southern Ontario.

As we wrote last week, one of the prime candidates is Josh Donaldson, although any return is not expected to be substantial. Another strong possibility is J.A. Happ.

Entering this season the starting rotation was projected to be a strength, but the opposite has been true up to this point. Happ has been the one exception, leading the Blue Jays in wins, ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts.

The strikeouts have been particularly impressive, with the 2004 third-round draft pick throwing 11.1 per nine innings. In fact, at this rate, he would set a new career-high. (His 11.3 strikeout rate in 2007 was achieved by playing just one game.)

Happ is just the type of player who would fit into any rotation for a postseason contender. While he may not be in his 2016-prime, he is still pitching well and has the experience and nerve to help most teams.

More from Toronto Blue Jays

One team which should have an interest in the 35-year-old, is the New York Yankees. At least according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Sherman writes that while Cole Hamels is the more attractive proposition for the Yankees, Happ might actually be a better option. For a start, at $13 million for the season, the Jays’ pitcher is earning essentially half of what Hamels is.

And in his own right, Happ has been remarkably consistent since being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates at the non-waiver trade deadline in 2015. As Sherman notes, his ERA is 29 percent better than the MLB average, factoring in league and park.

Even if the Yankees don’t make a move for the Peru, Illinois native, the factors mentioned show why he is likely to receive a lot of interest between now and July 31. Like Donaldson though, any return haul is unlikely to be particularly significant.

That’s because Happ will become a free agent after the conclusion of the 2018 campaign. Any team looking to make a move for him, will do so with the knowledge he is essentially just a rental.

Blue Jays fans can hold out hope of their team somehow turning the season around. However, the reality is they should expect to see Happ leave some time during these next two months.

Next: No concern regarding Guerrero Jr. injury

Do you hold out realistic hope the Blue Jays can turn their fortunes around? Or have you already given up on the season? And if so, do you expect Happ to be moved by the non-waiver trade deadline? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Home/Toronto Blue Jays