The Toronto Blue Jays' postseason chances are starting to fade, and they may be wise to trade some of their players bound for free agency this winter.
Kevin Gausman will be 36 next year and hit free agency after this season ends. The two-time All-Star could generate plenty of interest at the deadline, but there are some teams he can block a trade to. According to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, those teams are the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Athletics, Chicago White Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates and Seattle Mariners.
Gausman could always end up allowing a trade to any one of those teams. On that list, the Brewers and White Sox could both be interested in adding a starting pitcher, and both are in a position to make the postseason.
Gausman has not had his best season. He has a 4.51 ERA in 21 starts. He has 117 strikeouts through 115 2/3 innings of work. His fastball run value sits in the 96th percentile, so there is something for teams to work with if they acquire him. He still gets decent chase as well.
Teams not on his no-trade list that could be interested in him include the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and Tampa Bay Rays. It's unclear if the Blue Jays would be willing to take on any of his remaining salary to move him, getting a better return in the process.
The Blue Jays will have to decide whether to buy, sell or stay put at the deadline soon. They have been unable to get on a roll this year after reaching the World Series last year.