These Toronto Blue Jays fan favourites could be traded at the deadline

To say the Toronto Blue Jays' season hasn't gone as planned would be an understatement.

After entering the year with World Series expectations, Toronto now sits seven games below .500 and in last place in the AL East — nearly 11 games back of the division lead and 4.5 games behind one of three AL Wild Card spots.

With less than two weeks until the Aug. 3 MLB trade deadline, the Blue Jays have some difficult decisions, especially when it comes to what to do with three beloved veterans on expiring contracts.

George Springer, Kevin Gausman, and Shane Bieber are all in the last year of their deal with Toronto, and as the deadline fast approaches, they could be seen by several playoff contenders as a potential short-term rental.

The biggest name is Springer, who has already sold his Lawrence Park home and reportedly moved temporarily into The Ritz-Carlton while finishing what could be his final season here, or perhaps in the majors.

George Springer is in his final season of a six-year, $150 million deal with the Toronto Blue Jays. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)

A trade involving the 37-year-old seems unlikely given his contract and 10-and-5 no-trade rights, which means he would have to approve any deal, plus his production at the plate won't have any teams calling.

Gausman, meanwhile, could be the player most likely to be moved on Aug. 3, and the one who could potentially bring back the biggest return.

The veteran starter has six seasons of playoff experience and could provide a contender with two of the most valuable things down the stretch — innings and strikeouts.

Despite his 4-8 record this season, Gausman has been pretty consistent on the mound. He ranks among the top 15 among American League pitchers in strikeouts and quality starts, and is in the top 10 when it comes to innings pitched. 

These are all things that would make him a very appealing option for teams looking to strengthen their rotation.

The biggest question mark heading into the deadline may be what the Blue Jays decide to do with Bieber.

Toronto acquired Shane Bieber at the 2025 trade deadline from the Cleveland Guardians. (Nick Turchiaro/Imagn Images)

The 31-year-old is also set to become a free agent this offseason, but Toronto hasn't seen much of him (as they maybe would've liked) since acquiring him from the Cleveland Guardians last year at the trade deadline.

Bieber has made only five starts this season after missing the first few months while recovering from a right forearm/elbow injury. Since returning in late June, he has struggled, posting a 5.70 ERA and a career-worst 4.6 walks allowed per nine innings.

At this point, the Blue Jays would likely prefer to get something in return for a player they may not bring back next season than to watch him walk.

Though, on the other hand, Bieber's value has declined, given he hasn't shown that he's been able to pitch at the level that won him the 2020 AL Cy Young Award.

Nonetheless, the next two weeks should be interesting for Blue Jays fans.