Trading a power bat might be the solution for Blue Jays going forward

[Parataxis]

Both Bautista and Encarnacion are free agents after next season. Bautista, is the heart-and-soul of this franchise for the pass 5 years and trading him (and his batflip) away will turn a lot of fans off. Not to mention, Bautista is a 10-and-5 player. Which means he has over 10 years of MLB service and 5 years with the same team. This qualifies him to have a no-trade clause. So if the Jays wanted him traded, Bautista has to agree to it. Encarnacion is in the same boat, he’s one of the important pieces in the Jays offense, but he too is a 10-and-5 player and trading him will require his authority. Both Bautista and Encarnacion seem to embrace the situation they have in Toronto and I highly doubt they will agree to any trade especially in their late stages of their career, since they both want to win now.

What? If Bautista and Encarnacion are "in the late stages of their career (and) both want to win now" that makes them MORE likely to accept a trade, not less likely.

Rebuilding teams aren't going to want either player. It makes no sense for a team that isn't aiming for the playoffs or better to take on Bats or E5. If they get traded, it's to a team that's going for it. Which is, coincidentally, exactly the sort of team that a player who "wants to win now" is going to accept a trade to. Doubly so if they don't think that their current team is going to take them there.

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That leaves us with Troy Tulowitzki. Trading Troy Tulowitzki might be the right move for the Blue Jays. Troy Tulowitzki also has a no-trade clause. Once he was dealt to Toronto, Tulowitzki is granted a $2-million assignment bonus and his contract converts to a full no-trade clause from here on out. However, he was completely blind-sided by the trade from Colorado and it can be argued that he wasn’t happy being here and will welcome a trade back south of the border.

In the sense that anything can be argued if you're argumentative enough, sure - it can be argued that he wants a trade. In a real world, he's a player who likes stability, and had fun (as much as Tulo can have fun) here this past year. Of our three big bats with no-trade clauses, he's probably the least likely to want to go.

[bluerap23]

More interested to see if JBats and EE are extended. Each player has at least 3 more years of solid productivity after this season. Aside from these 2 and Cecil every other roster player is signed through 2017 and the only significant fa not signed in 2018 is Estrada. There is no reason that this team can't compete for several years (unless Rogers handcuffs management).

[James_Raptors]

More interested to see if JBats and EE are extended. Each player has at least 3 more years of solid productivity after this season. Aside from these 2 and Cecil every other roster player is signed through 2017 and the only significant fa not signed in 2018 is Estrada. There is no reason that this team can't compete for several years (unless Rogers handcuffs management).

It depends on your definition of "solid productivity". I'm not confident that EE, 3-4 years from now is putting up close to the same numbers that he is now. His body is breaking down and although he's younger than Jose by a couple of years, Edwin has already been relegated to 1B/DH position as it is. It's not like he has much wiggle room. The dude has a massive frame and doesn't take as good care of himself as Bautista does. I think EE could come cheaper out of the two but a less appealing expiry date attached to his performance.

[CPT]

I've always been a little confused by the idea that trading Bautista/EE for pitching help is going to be the solution to all of our problems.

Who is this team that is looking to trade pitching for one of these guys? They would have to be a win now team, in which case they probably aren't looking to give up pitching. How often do win now trades between win now teams happen these days? And of those, how often do they involve giving up pitching for position players? I'm partially asking because I really want to know. Is this actually a realistic option? If you look at every team's 1/2/3 starters, how many of them are in a position where trading one of them for a JB or EE would make sense?

If JB/EE is to be traded, I think it will have to be for prospects, and partially as a salary dump, so we can use their space in the budget to fill a need.

[polo007]

According to TSN Baseball Insider Steve Phillips, other than the big three bats (Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista, and Josh Donaldson), everyone is available for trade consideration, including Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki. The Jays may regret the last few years of the contract for Martin so at some point, they should consider getting out from underneath it. It doesn’t have to be this offseason but better to get out a year too early instead of a year too late. Tulowitzki didn’t seem like he is comfortable yet as a Jay. With the development of Ryan Goins and the recovery of Devon Travis, the Jays could go young up the middle and trade Tulo. His contract is a bit prohibitive but it should at least be a consideration as it could reallocate some of the big money from offence to pitching.

The Jays could possibly get a mid-rotation starter if they traded Ben Revere. Dalton Pompey could take over in left to replace him.

http://www.tsn.ca/on-jays-pitching-the-price-sweepstakes-and-more-1.394168

The biggest strength of the Jays last season was an offence that easily outpaced the rest of the league. Should they be looking to trade from that position of strength to improve one of their weaknesses and who would you consider to be untouchable on the roster?

I think the Jays have to consider being creative in building for 2016. This would include the consideration of trading from an area of strength (offence) to improve an area of weakness (pitching).

They can’t trade Edwin Encarnacion or Jose Bautista because they have no trade rights because of their 10/5 status (10 years in majors and five years with current club). I loathe placing an untouchable label on any player because I don’t like unnecessary limitations on building a roster. That being said, Josh Donaldson would be the most untouchable player for me.

Other than the big three bats, everyone is available for trade consideration, including Russell Martin and Troy Tulowitzki. The Jays may regret the last few years of the contract for Martin so at some point, they should consider getting out from underneath it. It doesn’t have to be this offseason but better to get out a year too early instead of a year too late. Tulowitzki didn’t seem like he is comfortable yet as a Jay. With the development of Ryan Goins and the recovery of Devon Travis, the Jays could go young up the middle and trade Tulo. His contract is a bit prohibitive but it should at least be a consideration as it could reallocate some of the big money from offence to pitching.

The Jays could possibly get a mid-rotation starter if they traded Ben Revere. Dalton Pompey could take over in left to replace him. A year ago, Adam Lind brought back Marco Estrada in a deal with the Brewers. I could see a Revere deal possibly helping the rotation that way.

I am sure plenty of clubs would want Ryan Goins, Devon Travis and Kevin Pillar. I am not sure any trade makes sense because they would not bring back the kind of pitcher to justify deal. Pillar would draw the most legitimate interest but moving an affordable quality offensive and defensive centerfielder would cost at least a number two starter.

[bluerap23]

Someone should tell Philips that Tulo also has a no-trade clause

[jawadh]

I've always been a little confused by the idea that trading Bautista/EE for pitching help is going to be the solution to all of our problems.

Who is this team that is looking to trade pitching for one of these guys? They would have to be a win now team, in which case they probably aren't looking to give up pitching. How often do win now trades between win now teams happen these days? And of those, how often do they involve giving up pitching for position players? I'm partially asking because I really want to know. Is this actually a realistic option? If you look at every team's 1/2/3 starters, how many of them are in a position where trading one of them for a JB or EE would make sense?

If JB/EE is to be traded, I think it will have to be for prospects, and partially as a salary dump, so we can use their space in the budget to fill a need.

In the top of my head, I think the Jon Lester for Yoenis Cespedes trade was pitching for hitting. Granted, Boston was out of it, but they were retooling for next year.

[EastBayBoy]

I've always been a little confused by the idea that trading Bautista/EE for pitching help is going to be the solution to all of our problems.

Who is this team that is looking to trade pitching for one of these guys? They would have to be a win now team, in which case they probably aren't looking to give up pitching. How often do win now trades between win now teams happen these days? And of those, how often do they involve giving up pitching for position players? I'm partially asking because I really want to know. Is this actually a realistic option? If you look at every team's 1/2/3 starters, how many of them are in a position where trading one of them for a JB or EE would make sense?

If JB/EE is to be traded, I think it will have to be for prospects, and partially as a salary dump, so we can use their space in the budget to fill a need.

In the top of my head, I think the Jon Lester for Yoenis Cespedes trade was pitching for hitting. Granted, Boston was out of it, but they were retooling for next year.

That was for a 2 month rental of Lester, while Cespedes still had term on his contract. 1 year of EE or Jose esp at their age isn't going to get much in return in terms of a high end SP

[jawadh]

What? If Bautista and Encarnacion are "in the late stages of their career (and) both want to win now" that makes them MORE likely to accept a trade, not less likely.

No, cause if the Jays want to trade them for a mid-level starter and prospects, they will likely veto it cause they will likely go to a team thats competing but not as close as the Jays. (Jays and Cubs are Fav to win WS (9 to 1))

However, lets play fantasy baseball. The Brady and Walker show discussed the possibility of trading Bautista to a team like the Mets. Both Mets and Jays are close. Mets need hitters, Jays need pitching.

Cespedes prolly isn't resigning. Mets have a deep rotation and despite Harvey's dominate WS, Mets were a little ticked off with him following the IP count fiasco.

If a rumour floats around of Harvey for Bautista? Who says no?