TORONTO - The Blue Jays had a chance to get back into contention after the All-Star break, but instead they opened the second half with three series losses in a row and their playoff odds are now a season-low 5.9 per cent. Under those circumstances, it’s time to strongly consider selling. 

In 10 years as Blue Jays GM, Ross Atkins has always completed at least three trades in the 10-day window preceding the deadline. With a number of intriguing trade candidates on the 2026 roster, it stands to reason that’ll be the case once again, which likely means a busy week ahead.

But while some pending free agents seem likely to be traded, there’s certainly zero need to move controllable players like Louis Varland and Ernie Clement, and under the right circumstances this could even be a chance for the Toronto front office to buy and sell at the same time.

As we await clarity on what’s next, here’s a look at who the front office could consider trading and what their value might be:

Tier one: Rentals who’d fit easily on contenders

Kevin Gausman, SPFinal year under team control: 20262026 salary: $23,000,000

No trade protection: Can’t be traded to the White Sox, Pirates, Brewers, Tigers, Mariners, Mets, A’s or Reds without his permission.

Trade value: In recent years, rental starters like Dustin May, Merrill Kelly, Zack Littell, Adrian Houser, Yusei Kikuchi, Jack Flaherty and Frankie Montas have all been traded for multiple prospects. Teams aren’t going to give up elite prospects for a rental pitcher this side of Tarik Skubal, but Gausman’s at least as talented as the aforementioned group, so this should be a chance to add a couple of interesting minor-leaguers to the farm system.

Daulton Varsho,........

© Sportsnet