Blue Jays have spoken to Guardians about potential Jose Ramirez trade

The Toronto Blue Jays are once again asking the Cleveland Guardians if they’d be willing to trade All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez.

Well, this probably isn’t the Cleveland Guardians trade news fans were hoping for.

The Toronto Blue Jays, who just acquired another third baseman in Matt Chapman, seem to be trading for the entire free world, as they have spoken to the Guardians about a potential deal for Jose Ramirez.

Would the Guardians Actually Trade Jose Ramirez?

Anything is possible, of course, but it seems pretty far-fetched that Cleveland would deal Ramirez with two more years of extremely team-friendly control at a combined $25 million (there is a $13 million team option for 2023). Not to mention the Guardians haven’t ruled out signing Ramirez to an extension if at all possible.

This potential deal with the Blue Jays seems more like Toronto simply inquiring once again (the Blue Jays have been after Ramirez for a while now), seeing if there’s any path to a trade that Cleveland would like. The Guardians aren’t wrong to listen to offers, because teams are no doubt salivating at the thought of picking up the perennial MVP candidate. But it would come at a significant cost that includes multiple major-league players; the Blue Jays are likely underestimating the Guardians’ willingness to try to contend right now.

The Blue Jays are likely also underestimating Ramirez’s preference to playing third base. Toronto has eyes on moving Ramirez to second base, where he’s no stranger, but he has long preferred third base.

Still, this won’t calm any Cleveland fan’s fears about what could ultimately happen to Ramirez. Now is the time for the team to do something – anything – to prove to the fan base that the organization is committed to winning as soon as 2022.