The Toronto Blue Jays just aren’t the team they were a year ago. Last October they were playing in the World Series, pushing the Dodgers to a Game 7 before falling short. Now? They’re sitting at 43-49 after Wednesday’s loss to the Giants, and the trade deadline is less than three weeks away.
That has people around the league talking about whether Toronto will shift gears and become sellers. And one name keeps coming up in those conversations: Daulton Varsho.
MLB insider Jon Heyman floated the idea on B/R Walk-Off, and he didn’t sugarcoat it. Varsho is a free agent after this season. He’s 30 years old. He plays elite center field and just won a Gold Glove in 2024. If the Blue Jays decide to punt on 2026 — even just a partial punt — he’s the kind of guy contenders would line up for.
“I’m not implying that I do think they will be a seller,” Heyman said, “but if they are, Daulton Varsho, he’s a free agent after the year … He is an outstanding all-around player, showed a lot of power in the Jays’ terrific season … He is a great center fielder. And he would be highly coveted if they do put him out there, but he is a free agent after the year. If they keep losing, there is that possibility.”
Varsho’s numbers this year aren’t quite what they were in 2025. He’s hitting .242 with a .309 on-base percentage and a .398 slugging percentage through 79 games. He’s got seven homers. Compare that to last season, when he posted an .833 OPS and 20 home runs, and you can see the drop-off. But he’s still playing Gold Glove-caliber defense in center, and that matters a lot to teams making a playoff push.
The Blue Jays Have a Real Decision to Make
Toronto’s front office isn’t in an easy spot. On one hand, they just went to the World Series. You don’t tear that down lightly. On the other hand, the rotation has been inconsistent, the lineup has been cold at the wrong times, and the record is what it is. The American East is tough this year too. The Yankees are rolling, the Orioles are hanging around, and the Rays are always a nuisance.
If the Blue Jays keep losing at the current rate over the next couple of weeks, selling starts to look like more than just a hypothetical. Varsho would be the most obvious move because he’s a rental. He’ll walk at the end of the year anyway. Getting something for him now — prospects, bullpen help, a young arm — might be smarter than letting him leave for nothing.
But don’t expect Toronto to make any big moves until they absolutely have to. The front office is probably hoping the team goes on a run before July 30. If that doesn’t happen, expect Varsho’s name to be everywhere.
Leave a Comment