The Blue Jays could explore some bold hypothetical trades this offseason, starting with a wild Mike Trout scenario.

Sending Anthony Santander, Jose Berrios, and Andres Gimenez to the Angels for Trout is about as extreme as this exercise gets, not the most likely outcome.

Trout remains under contract through 2030 on his 12-year, $426.5 million extension, with an annual salary north of $35 million in each remaining year.

For Toronto, this would consolidate three complicated commitments into one enormous upside bet.

Santander, Berrios, and Gimenez combine for more remaining money than Trout is owed, but spread across different roster spots and shorter term commitments.

The Angels would likely need extra incentive, possibly real prospect capital from Toronto, and the whole bet hinges on Trout still having enough star-level production left to justify the risk. It's unlikely, but it captures the kind of aggressive swing Toronto could at least explore.

Why a Berrios-for-Nola swap is far more realistic

A Jose Berrios-for-Aaron Nola framework is much easier to actually picture happening.

Nola is signed through 2030 on a seven-year, $172 million deal with the Phillies, a major commitment for a pitcher entering his mid-30s after an uneven stretch.

There are signs he's been better than his surface numbers suggest. Since June 2, Nola carries a 4.13 ERA over 104.2 innings, with a more encouraging 3.78 xERA and 3.99 xFIP.

He's struck out 109 batters against 37 walks in that same span, real underlying quality buried under a rougher overall line.

For a Blue Jays team that's spent much of this season surviving rotation injuries, even a diminished Nola could help stabilize the staff and protect the bullpen from getting overexposed again next year.

Toronto has real credibility developing pitching, giving it a plausible path to helping Nola steady himself further.

For Philadelphia, Berrios represents a shorter, less expensive bet, even accounting for his complicated Tommy John recovery.

If the Phillies want to trim future payroll while taking a chance on a later-season return, there's at least a real conversation to be had here.

Neither scenario is close to a done deal. But between a franchise-altering long shot and a genuinely realistic swap, Toronto's offseason could look very different depending on which direction the front office leans.