There hasn't been a better Blue Jay in 2026 than Louis Varland, and that's exactly why some believe Toronto might consider moving him anyway.
Varland is sitting on a 1.21 ERA across 47 appearances, striking out 70 batters over 52 innings, numbers that make him one of the best relievers in all of baseball this season.
He's also under team control through 2030, the kind of long-term cost certainty that usually makes a player untouchable rather than a trade candidate.
Given that, moving him seems unlikely on the surface, but relievers are notoriously volatile, and some believe Toronto could look to sell high while his value has never been better.
ESPN's Buster Olney raised exactly that possibility on TSN Radio.
"Every contending team is looking for a reliever, and Varland would check every box for any contender," Olney said. "So it would be a great seller's market. I do think if they legitimately dangled him out there, that he probably would be the most coveted reliever available if Mason Miller was not made available."
That's a significant statement, positioning Varland as arguably the best reliever realistically on the trade table this deadline.
Why other names are quietly in the mix too
Toronto sits at 48-58, last in the American League East, a record that's made this front office genuinely willing to consider moving almost anyone if the return is strong enough.
Myles Straw and Jesus Sanchez have also been mentioned as potential trade candidates, far less discussed than Varland but still part of the broader conversation.
Sanchez is hitting .274 with seven home runs, respectable production that could interest a team needing outfield depth, while Straw brings speed and defense at .213 with three homers.
It's a bit like a homeowner listing their best-kept property even though they don't need to sell, simply because the market has never looked better.
Would selling Varland at peak value actually make sense long term, or does his multi-year control make him exactly the kind of player Toronto should build around instead of trading away?
Whatever happens over the next several days, Toronto's front office has plenty of decisions left to make before the deadline arrives.
Should the Blue Jays sell high on Louis Varland even with years of team control remaining?
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