The Toronto Blue Jays could be faced with a difficult decision before the MLB trade deadline, as one recent prediction has identified outfielder Daulton Varsho as the player most likely to be moved.
In a recent piece from The Athletic, every MLB team was assigned one player who could be traded before the deadline, with Varsho being the choice for Toronto.
The prediction comes as the Blue Jays continue evaluating their direction for the remainder of the season and whether they should capitalize on players with significant trade value.
On paper, the reasoning is understandable. Varsho is an elite defensive outfielder who can play all three positions while also providing left-handed power.
His combination of Gold Glove-caliber defense, athleticism, and postseason experience would make him an attractive option for contenders looking to upgrade their outfield before the deadline.
Still, trading Varsho would not be an easy move for Toronto, especially considering what he meant to the club during its postseason run last year.
After helping the Blue Jays reach the playoffs, Varsho elevated his game when it mattered most as his standout performance in October will forever be remembered in Toronto.
He delivered timely hits, provided outstanding defense in center field, and became one of the club’s biggest difference-makers during its Word Series run, smashing three home runs to go along with 10 RBI.
Those performances reinforced his value beyond the regular season and showed he can produce on baseball’s biggest stage.
That playoff success makes the possibility of a trade more complicated. While the Blue Jays could receive a strong return for a player with Varsho’s skill set, they would also be parting with one of the organization’s best defenders and a proven postseason contributor.
Toronto’s front office will ultimately have to decide whether the long-term benefits of acquiring future assets outweigh keeping a player capable of impacting games with both his glove and his bat.
If the Blue Jays determine they are no longer positioned to contend this season, moving Varsho could become one of the organization’s biggest trade chips.
For now, however, it remains only a prediction. Given everything Varsho has brought to the Blue Jays—including his memorable playoff performance just a year ago—any decision to move him would undoubtedly be one of the franchise’s toughest calls ahead of the trade deadline.
