It's Time to Make a Splash. Yelich Time.

So far this offseason, it's been rather quiet, and not just for the Jays. Many teams are keeping extremely quiet, and there haven't been many rumors at all. There has been little public knowledge on Cole, Strasburg, and Rendon leading up to their signings, and the expected blockbusters with Lindor and Betts have gained little to no traction. Perhaps it's time for Toronto to bring a new blockbuster rumor to life.

In 2018 and 2019, the Brewers looked like an incredible team, possibly capable of winning the title. This past season the team struggled, with Yelich carrying them most of the way on route to his second place finish in the MVP race. However, upon Yelich's season ending injury (that would cost him his second consecutive MVP award), the entire team stepped up, going on an incredible run to end the season. They managed to sneak into a wildcard spot, where they would end up losing to the world series champion Washington Nationals in that wildcard game. None the less, it was still a really impressive season that showed tons of hope for the Brew Crew going into the future... At least that's what most people thought.

So far in the offseason, the Brewers front office clearly hasn't held the same mindset as the fans. They have begun to lose the ever so talented team they had, and it's getting harder and harder to believe that this is a team who is actually aiming for a playoff spot. After letting go of Mike Moustakas and Yasmani Grandal, as well as non-tendering Travis Shaw, Jimmy Nelson, Tyler Saladino, and Junior Guerra, and giving up on Jesus Aguilar and Zach Davies, the team is beginning to look awfully weak. This isn't a team ready to contend at all, especially considering that there haven't been any rumors suggesting they are interested in signing or trading for any significant players. The only true rumor floating around is a potential Josh Hader trade, again showing the team is unloading their best players for youth. Are they approaching a full scale rebuild?

The Jays are still 2 years from contention. They have great young team with sky high potential that is on the verge of erupting. Within the next year or two, a key addition and some veteran additions could lead to the Jays becoming the powerhouse team in the American League East. Despite that fact that they are a few moves and a year or so away, I love that they are being patient, haven't brought on any significant contracts. I would hate for them to make a major move right now, like signing Ozuna or Ryu, or trading for someone like Starling Marte, unless it was absolutely necessary. Well, I might have found a move that's necessary.

With the Brewers unloading, it might just be time to move on from the 2018 MVP winner Christian Yelich as well. There is no point in keeping the league MVP on a poor performing team who is incapable of doing damage in the league today, especially when they have a solid young core and are prepared/preparing for the future. Even though rumors have not come up yet, I would bet on Yelich wearing a different uniform at latest by the trade deadline next year. The Blue Jays might just have to be that uniform.

When Yelich was moved to the Brewers 2 years ago, there was one other team that was pushing really hard to get him. It was the Brewers only competition. That team was the Blue Jays, which proves the interest in him from the front office. Now, the Jays might have a second opportunity to get him, and although the timing might not be perfect, there likely isn't going to be a better opportunity for Toronto anytime soon. Being that Yelich will only be at the ripe age of 28 next season, he is a good fit for Toronto's timeline. It is also huge that he is an outfielder, a position that has become a real issue for the team, with no players as locks going into the future, complete uncertainty. Come time for contention, the back to back reigning batting title winner is a really perfect fit for the team, and it could be extremely significant that we attempt to acquire him now.

Last time the Jays attempted to trade for Yelich, they offered the Marlins a deal centered around Bo Bichette, but ultimately lost out because the Marlins wanted Guerrero Jr., which the Jays were unwilling to do. Yelich was instead moved to the Brewers for a deal centered around outfielder Lewis Brinson, who currently (after 3 major league seasons) owns a career batting average of .183. This time around, Yelich is a significantly improved player, and it's going to take a larger package to bring Yelich to Toronto, especially considering that Yelich has 2 years on his current team friendly contract, plus a 2022 team option for only $15 million, which for an MVP caliber player is incredible.

If the Brewers choose to move Yelich, it would likely signal a full scale rebuild, which means the Brewers wouldn't be picky position wise with their prospects, but would want the best available. This immediately brings players such as Nate Pearson, Cavan Biggio, Danny Jansen, and several others into the conversation.

So, what would the Brewers specifically want? They will 100% want some top of the line guys with big potential. Either Nate Pearson (Jays #1 rated prospect), or Jordan Groshans (Jays #2 rated prospect) will likely have to go, along with many other pieces. It is a really difficult decision when choosing to deal either of the two, as both have so much potential. Although many might say it makes much more sense to move Groshans (3B/SS) because of the infield talent we already have, I have a hard time getting on board with that because I actually see much more potential in Groshans than Pearson. However, as important as it is to retain top tier potential prospects, and as much as I prefer Groshans to Pearson, I think Pearson has to stay in Toronto. The organizational need for pitching is extremely clear, and it might be more important to keep Pearson, even if Groshans becomes a better player one day. Now that the main player for the trade has been selected, let's work towards the remaining players.

The last time a player of similar caliber to current day Yelich was traded, it a guy named Josh Donaldson who was moved to Toronto from Oakland. Donaldson was coming off two extremely strong seasons, and was just entering his prime with 3 years of team control remaining. The Jays moved the highly touted potential filled youngster third baseman Brett Lawrie, as well as two pitching prospects (Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin), and a young high potential prospect in Franklin Barreto. It was a fairly large haul, and I think it will take a similar, slightly better package to acquire Yelich.

The main players I would consider moving are outfielders. I believe that if we can retain Gurriel, then he and Yelich can become a strong outfield duo. With two good players, it doesn't make sense to have Grichuk, McKinney, Alford, Davis, Hernandez, and others fighting for one spot. I think it makes sense to move at least two of these guys. I would give the Brewers Grichuk, as they get a solid MLB caliber player to fill Yelich's spot with several years remaining on his contract, and although it is high for a player of his skill set, it's still reasonable (especially if the Jays eat some of the contract). I would than offer the Brewers select one of any of the following outfielders: McKinney, Alford, or Hernandez. All of them are too inconsistent to remain with a team that could contend by 2021, and with only one outfield spot unfilled, they won't get enough opportunities to prove themselves. With a rebuilding Brewers team however, they might get the chance to flourish.

The next pieces that have to go become significantly harder decisions. There need to be about 2 more solid, high potential pieces. The first in my opinion should be a catcher, as the position is a common need around baseball, and being in high demand, they are frequently overvalued. This is one of the hardest decisions to make. Either, we add a catching prospect like Alejandro Kirk (12th overall prospect in the organization), and we add one more very significant piece, or we throw in an MLB ready catcher, meaning either Reese McGuire, or Danny Jansen. Trust me here, if we move one of the two catchers, it has to be Jansen. I've followed McGuire for a long time, and the potential that most people see is just the tip of the iceberg. He has the potential to be an all star in the future. Keeping this in mind, we resort to choosing Jansen, meaning we either give up Jansen, and a mid-tier prospect, or Kirk and a high-tier prospect. I'll work two separate deals, one in each scenario.

First, Kirk is moved. Now we need another high potential prospect. In this trade, the one thing missing is pitching. Most of Toronto's top tier prospects are pitchers, meaning there is lots to choose from. However, knowing the significant organizational need of pitching, the selected player must be a good fit. This means that Toronto can't afford to trade guys that are going to be a part of this team within the next 1-2 years. They need to move guys that are years away, and won't be ready in time to contend with the current core, even if it means giving up higher potential players. The ideal prospect for this deal is the Jays 10th rated organizational prospect, Adam Kloffenstein (Jays 3rd round pick in the 2018 draft). He is currently 19 years old, last pitched in short season single A, and isn't expected to be MLB ready until 2022 earliest. He has a high ceiling, which is ideal for the Brewers too, making him a great fit. Not a guy I would love to give up, but seems like a decision that must be made.

Now the Jansen deal. I again chose to go with a pitching prospect to finish the trade off, as it makes for a well rounded deal. However, we likely won't need to include as good a prospect, being that Jansen is the preferred player over Kirk. I look to move the organizations 17th overall prospect, Patrick Murphy. He is currently on the 40 man roster, but I just don't think he is ready, and if the Jays attempt to contend soon, he might not get the opportunity, much like the outfielders. Moving Murphy to the Brewers makes sense for him, as well as the team. He doesn't have a high ceiling, but seems like he has a high floor thanks to a strong one-two punch with his fastball and curveball. Could be a really underrated player in the deal, providing a reliable arm for the Brewers. I would project his career to be similar to former Jay and Athletic, Kendall Graveman, which is a solid addition.

Lets review. In the Kirk deal, the Jays giveaway the following players:

- Randal Grichuk

- Hernandez, Alford, or McKinney

- Jordan Groshans (#2 prospect)

- Adam Kloffenstein (#10 prospect)

- Alejandro Kirk (#13 prospect)

In the Jansen deal: - Randal Grichuk

- Danny Jansen

- Hernandez, Alford, or McKinney

- Jordan Groshans (#2 prospect)

- Patrick Murphy (#17 prospect)

Both deals yield solid returns for both teams. The Jays get a young MVP candidate to help the young core become contenders without giving up much pitching, and without creating holes in the roster. The Brewers get a low risk package with high potential in either move, as well some players from every position to create balance in their prospects. There are many other ways the trade could be expanded as well, which is what makes the deal all the more interesting for the Jays. Being able to trade for other players such as pitcher Brandon Woodruff, and/or outfielder Lorenzo Cain could really prepare Toronto for some strong future playoff runs. The current deals that I've created do seem like a light load unfortunately, and would likely require more, including another good prospect or two, along with paying some of the Grichuk contract. This is a solid base however, and is easily what a trade could realistically be based around. At the very least, a Yelich trade is extremely temping, and might just be the right move to make the Blue Jays pull the trigger.