Blue Jays News: Toronto Open To Trading Lourdes Gurriel Jr.

By TheNaturalMevs on November 13, 2019

Obviously, I thought that Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was part of the Blue Jays’ young core moving forward. However, Scott Mitchell of TSN says that the Blue Jays are open to moving the talented young bat this off-season according to multiple sources.

Here’s an interesting one: Heard from multiple people lately #BlueJays could be open to moving Lourdes Gurriel Jr. this winter, especially if it brings the right rotation arm back.
Signed through 2023 and heading into his age-26 season, the contract is nice and so is the bat.

— Scott Mitchell (@ScottyMitchTSN) November 11, 2019

Gurriel Jr. is coming off a 2019 season that saw him OPS .869 with 20 home runs and 50 RBI in just 84 games. Undeniably, I watched a lot of Toronto this past season due to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and I thought that Gurriel looked like the best young bat in the lineup on many a night.

While hitting in the middle of the lineup – not only did he display versatility – but he was a lot tougher out than Guerrero Jr. on many nights.

Blue Jays could be open to trading Lourdes Gurriel. https://t.co/7sUPtVMdDs pic.twitter.com/ytKMgQa8aV

— theScore (@theScore) November 11, 2019

I guess I see why you move Gurriel when his value is at an all-time high, rather than just building around him. He’s already in his mid-20’s, and he’s going to get expensive quickly if he keeps putting up numbers and playing all over the diamond. I guess my question would be what are you looking to land if you do trade him? And wouldn’t he potentially be worth more moving into this season when some true blue chip prospects are available? This is a guy who could land Toronto a future ace or top of the rotation starter.

Gregor Chisholm took a look at this rumor in his recent mailbag.

The Blue Jays currently have a glut of corner outfielders, most of which have questionable upside, but there’s a scenario in which Toronto could swap Gurriel for a controllable starter and then sign a free agent like outfielder Nicholas Castellanos. That would improve the rotation without doing any damage to the everyday lineup.

So there you have it, and I admit; if that is the vision and the Jays can get a nice future arm with upside; you do it.

It sounds like the Blue Jays are ready to add some new pieces. Remember, they already added innings-eater Chase Anderson from the Brewers in a trade recently. He should do just that in Toronto.