Blue Jays-Brewers trade idea sees Toronto cut ties with 27-year-old All-Star

The Toronto Blue Jays' plans for the trade deadline are becoming a wild thought exercise.

At 21-21, the Blue Jays jumped into second place in the American League East ahead of the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. They're still not playing up to their capability, however, and they can look like the best or worst team in the division from one series to the next.

There's quite obviously still a world where the Blue Jays, who have a lot invested in this roster, become buyers. In fact, team president Mark Shapiro and general manager Ross Atkins likely believe their jobs hinge on this season, so they'll jump at any opportunity to go after a playoff spot.

However, if the Blue Jays go on an extended cold stretch, as they did last season, they may be forced to sell. And impending free agent shortstop Bo Bichette could fetch quite a haul if his offense continues to improve.

On Wednesday, Athlon's Dave Gasper named a surprise team as a trade fit for Bichette: the Milwaukee Brewers, whose starting shortstop, Joey Ortiz, has been one of the worst hitters in the sport so far this season.

"This would be a dream target for the Brewers to get to spark their offense, but they'll have to wait a little bit longer for it to potentially become a reality. The Blue Jays are going for it in Bichette's last year and they've signed Vlad Guerrero Jr to an extension," Gasper wrote.

Follow The Sporting News On WhatsApp

"The front office (in Toronto) needs to see success on the field and they won't trade Bichette unless they're out of the hunt."

Bichette, 27, has finally started hitting the ball over the fence, with his first three home runs of the season coming in his last 10 games. That's juiced his OPS to .732, which needs to keep climbing if he wants to make a nine-figure contract in free agency.

Obviously, the Blue Jays would prefer to keep Bichette and make a run at a World Series. But a bad start to the summer could bring desperate teams like Milwaukee into the picture.

More MLB: Dodgers cut ties with 2-time World Series champion, longest-tenured position player