Blue Jays Add 25-HR Outfield Slugger As Losing Season Persists In Trade Idea
May 16, 2025
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The Toronto Blue Jays have taken some big swings to turn their fortunes around.
After reaching the final rounds of negotiations with superstars like Shohei Ohtani and Juan Soto in recent years to no avail, the team brought in Anthony Santander, Andres Gimenez, Jeff Hoffman, Max Scherzer and others to fix a losing record from last season.
But despite those additions, plus a new $500 million contract for Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays sit in third place in the American League East with another losing record going into Friday.
With general manager Ross Atkins in the final year of his contract, the team’s front office might feel some desperation to fix the losing season and get back to the playoffs before things get out of hand. As a result, it might turn to a trade idea from Heavy’s Matthew Sullivan.
BOSTON, MA – APRIL 10: Manager John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 10, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts…. BOSTON, MA – APRIL 10: Manager John Schneider #14 of the Toronto Blue Jays looks on during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 10, 2025 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)
Townson/Getty Images
“The most intriguing name on the market for the Blue Jays is Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward,” Sullivan wrote. “Ward has just one year left of arbitration, and the Angels are looking to move off the veteran outfielder.”
The Blue Jays could opt for a number of fixes amid their struggles, but upgrading one of the corner outfield spots seems like the cleanest. Ward could come in as a replacement for Jonatan Clase or Nathan Lukes in left field, allowing the team to stick with veterans George Springer, Daulton Varsho and Anthony Santander in the other spots as well as the designated hitter role.
Ward is off to a slow start so far this season, but he slugged 25 home runs in a .246/.323/.426 campaign last year, suggesting he could bounce back to some solid production with a change of scenery. Plus, his slump so far might mean the Angels are willing to part with him for a miniscule return.
“With Ward’s slow start, he also won’t cost as much as other corner outfield options,” Sullivan added. “Ward would likely cost one of the Blue Jays’ top-30 prospects, but none inside the top 10.”
If the front office feels it can leverage a lesser part of its future for a win-now addition in this critical season, trading for Ward could be the kind of move they opt to make.
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