Toronto Blue Jays: Stroman, Sanchez trade talk a no-go at this stage
By Paul Taylor
Marcus Stroman Aaron Sanchez are apparently drawing interest from other teams, but the Toronto Blue Jays are unlikely to trade them, at least not yet.
The Toronto Blue Jays and the rest of Major League Baseball are currently in the offseason. However, as with all professional sports leagues in North America, the reality is there is never truly an offseason; there is always something going in.
In that respect, the latest speculation involving the Blue Jays should come as no surprise. As per Simon Sharkey-Gotlieb of theScore, Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez are reportedly drawing interest from around the league.
That teams would like to trade for Stroman and Sanchez is to be expected; both are excellent talents. However, Sharkey-Gotlieb goes on to write that the Blue Jays are in no hurry to move either player.
In reality, those comments should have been followed by “at this stage”. As much as there is no doubt regarding the pitching duo’s skills, they have both reached critical points in their respective careers.
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Starting with Stroman, he is coming off the worst season of his five-year career in the Majors. He missed time during 2018 due to a shoulder issue and finger blister, which contributed to his lack of productivity.
The 27-year-old recorded career-worsts for ERA, FIP, WHIP and walks per nine innings. Unsurprisingly, this resulted in a career-low .308 win percentage, with a 4-9 record in 19 starts.
In addition, Stroman had problems away from the field. More specifically, his relationship with the Toronto media seemed reached a new low point, after he fell out with them.
Turning to Sanchez, he endured another frustrating, injury-filled year. As a result, he again failed to return to the scintillating form which made him an All-Star in 2016.
The 26-year-old recorded the worst ERA of his Major League career and equaled his career-high for walks per nine innings. He also registered an 1.562 WHIP, as he went 4-6 in 20 starts.
In many ways, the season was summed up for Sanchez, when he injured a finger while moving a suitcase. This resulted in a deep bruise and swelling, forcing him to undergo surgery.
At one point, the duo were seen as the future of the pitching staff, essentially projected as 1 and 1A in the rotation. Now though, both players have to show they can return to full health and the effectiveness previously displayed.
Interestingly, Stroman and Sanchez have similar contract situations. Both are arbitration-eligible in 2019 and 2020, before becoming free agents in 2021.
At this stage, we predict both will still be pitching for the Blue Jays next year. However, we wait to see what kind of offers the team receives for either player, with the Cincinnati Reds having apparently already shown interest in Stroman specifically.
Next. 2019 will be make or break for Devon Travis. dark
What do you make of the apparent trade talk involving Stroman and Sanchez? Do you see the Toronto Blue Jays moving either or both of them during this offseason, or do you predict they will still be with the team when the 2019 regular season begins? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.