Blue Jays-Red Sox trade idea has Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer problem

Blue Jays-Red Sox trade idea has Vladimir Guerrero Jr., George Springer problem originally appeared on The Sporting News.
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The Toronto Blue Jays have fought their way back into the postseason mix. 

Even with a losing record, the Blue Jays should emerge as buyers before this year’s trade deadline unless something goes catastrophically wrong. 

They have Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer as their main first base and designated hitter options, so the AL East club being tabbed as a landing spot for a slugger from the AL East is confusing. 

ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel wrote Wednesday that Toronto could target Willson Contreras from the Boston Red Sox despite the presence of Guerrero and Springer. 

However, Contreras was given just a 25% chance of being traded this season by the Red Sox. The three-time All-Star also has a no-trade clause in his contract. 

“Contreras has been highly productive in Boston, thriving at Fenway Park — where he has an OPS over 1.000 — and mashing on the road,” Passan and McDaniel wrote.

“Since he has been so good offensively for a team that has been so bad, trading him when he has two very reasonable years left on his deal and when the Red Sox intend to compete in the coming years gives them pause.” 

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As detailed, the Red Sox may pump the brakes on trading away Contreras, even with how bad their season has gone. 

Even if the Blue Jays did acquire him, where would he play, and when? Springer would have to accept a regular role back in the outfield, and Guerrero would have to agree to split time at first. 

Contreras is no longer a reliable option at catcher, and Alejandro Kirk’s defense is too good for that to even be a discussion. 

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