There's usually at least one team with a head-scratching approach to the trade deadline.
Last year, the big one was the New York Yankees, who nearly neglected to do anything. They were only three games back in the wild-card standings, but basically all they added was a middle reliever (Keynan Middleton) at the last minute. It was supremely weird for a team that used to spare no expense in pursuit of titles.
The year before that, it was the Boston Red Sox's approach that made the least sense. They entered August one game below .500 and neither sold off their best trade chips nor acquired anywhere near enough to help them finish strong. It's like they changed their minds every morning and never really became a buyer or a seller. (In hindsight, though, getting Wilyer Abreu for a few months of Christian Vázquez was awesome.)
Could it be a third straight year where an AL East team leaves everyone puzzled?
The Toronto Blue Jays are in last place in the division and can't hit anything lately. But if they were to sell this summer, they sure have a lot to offer.
Of the 15 Blue Jays making at least $5 million this season, five (Justin Turner, Kevin Kiermaier, Danny Jansen, Yusei Kikuchi and Yimi Garcia) will be unrestricted free agents this winter, while six others (Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Bo Bichette, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Chris Bassitt, Jordan Romano and Chad Green) are slated for free agency after 2025.
It could be quite the fire sale. They won't do it, though.
Maybe the Blue Jays will move Kikuchi if he's still pitching at a high level while they're still floundering in last place, but they probably won't give up anyone who could fetch them a legitimately nice package of prospects. Instead, they'll likely choose to hope for the best next season with Guerrero, Bichette, Bassitt, Romano, Kevin Gausman, George Springer, etc.
