Blue Jays could soon cut bait with $105 million two-time All-Star, per insider

The Toronto Blue Jays' season could still swing in many different directions.

Two weeks into the season, the vibes were high, as the Blue Jays were in first place and announcing an extension for first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Two weeks later, they're down in fourth place, and they've got to be careful the slide doesn't continue.

Last year, the last-place Blue Jays sold off numerous pieces at the trade deadline. They've got even more chips to move this year if they wind up falling out of the playoff hunt, but they desperately hope that doesn't wind up happening.

However, the rest of us can at least start imagining a world where it does. And according to one baseball insider, there is a two-time All-Star starting pitcher who may need to think about moving services.

On Tuesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post appeared on MLB Network, saying that Toronto could trade star righty Kevin Gausman, whose five-year, $105 million contract runs through 2026, if they're out of the race by the deadline.

"How about Toronto? They've got some great starting pitchers," Heyman said when asked about teams who could have top-end hurlers to deal.

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"Gausman is off to a solid start; had one bad outing here against New York, but he's obviously a very very good pitcher for a long time."

Gausman, 34, is off to a 2-3 start this season with a 4.50 ERA in 34 innings. That's heavily influenced by his most recent start, in which he surrendered six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings to the New York Yankees.

As long as Gausman's numbers return to their relative norms across his last five years, he should command a hefty prospect package if the Blue Jays choose to cut bait with him a year early. Perhaps they won't want to do so even if they're out of the race, but it's definitely something to ponder.

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