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Could the Blue Jays land Tarik Skubal for a Jose Berrios-centered trade package?
There have been some wild trades across MLB this offseason, and there’s no reason to think that will change as spring training and the regular season approach. After the report that the Toronto Blue Jays have emerged as a destination for top free agency Framber Valdez, the Jays might have to move off one of their current starters to free up some cash.
The Atlanta Braves might be a good suitor for the Blue Jays’ Jose Berrios, who has slowly become a subject of trade rumors this offseason due to his $131 million contract and $18 million base salary. The Braves still need to add another starter this offseason, but if they don’t particularly love any of the current free agents, a trade also makes sense to acquire a starter.
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Could the Braves Pull Off A Trade for Jose Berrios?
The Braves could pull off a trade for Jose Berrios, but they would have to err on the side of caution for a couple of different reasons. First, would Atlanta want to give up a big-time prospect like Garrett Baumann or Alex Lodise for Berrios?
Jose Berrios signed a seven-year, $131 million contract and has three years left on the deal, and is owed roughly $66 million through 2028.
GettyCould the Blue Jays land Tarik Skubal for a Jose Berrios-centered trade package?
According to the current MLB trade candidates list by Spotrac.com, Jose Berrios is seventh on the list in terms of cash salary (AAV) behind other MLB stars that may be on the move either this offseason or in March/April.
Jose Berrios doesn’t exactly have tremendous upside for a starter, considering he’s entering his 11th season in MLB, but his consistency is what makes the 31-year-old an attractive starter, especially for the Braves, who need another starter who can make 30+ starts/ season.
The Braves couldn’t be calling on Jose Berrios to be the ace of the staff, but he would slot in as a solid No.4/No.5 starter for Atlanta.
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Will the Blue Jays Move Jose Berrios?
The other aspect to this trade idea is whether the Braves would even be able to put together a strong enough trade package if the Blue Jays end up making Berrios fully available.
A starter like Berrios would surely be very sought after, because he’s made 32+ starts in six of the last seven seasons. He never goes on the injured list, and if the Braves start to deal with injuries in the rotation come June and July, they can either circle back to trading for Berrios, or Atlanta might be sorry they didn’t make a deal for him either.
There are also plenty of other starters presumably on the trade market that the Braves could acquire, like Mitch Keller from the Pirates, Luis Severino from the Athletics, and Brady Singer.
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