Latest Blue Jays rumor finally gives Guardians no-trade list vindication

In 2016, catcher Jonathan Lucroy became public enemy No. 1 in Cleveland without ever stepping foot on Progressive Field’s diamond. 

With the Guardians cruising toward an American League Central title and looking like a true contender, the team’s ownership group approved an all-in approach that resulted in them acquiring Brandon Guyer and Andrew Miller. 

But that haul could have been even bigger if not for Lucroy, who used his no-trade clause to veto a deal to the Indians when Cleveland couldn’t guarantee that he’d be the team’s starting catcher the next season. 

While the Guardians put that saga behind them by coming within a game of the World Series, it’s still a bit of a sore subject in Cleveland given the city seemingly ends up on every player’s no-trade list. 

Well, almost every player. 

On Wednesday afternoon, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported that Blue Jays starter Kevin Gausman’s no-trade clause consists of eight teams. And the Guardians aren’t one of them. 

Although that obviously doesn’t mean the Guardians are going to acquire him at the trade deadline, it’s still refreshing to not have to cross out a trade target’s name before we even got a chance to imagine them donning a Guardians uniform. 

Kevin Guasman is an obvious trade target for the Guardians 

Gausman addressed the subject of his potential trade on Wednesday with The Athletic’s Mitch Bannon and said that he’d be sad to leave Toronto but understood that his time with the team could be coming to an end. 

The Blue Jays dropped to 43-60 with their loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, which makes it seem like they’re getting closer and closer to an eventual trade deadline sell-off. 

And Gausman would arguably be the top trade piece they could offer at the deadline given his dazzling résumé and postseason success. 

He may have a 4.51 ERA in 115 2/3 innings this season, but he’s posted a 3.62 ERA in 849 1/3 innings in his five year tenure with the Blue Jays and just had a 2.93 ERA in 30 2/3 innings during Toronto’s magical postseason run last season. 

The Guardians would be a great landing spot for this version of Gausman given they wouldn’t be asking him to save their rotation in the same way the Padres or Rangers would.

Instead he’d be their No. 4 starter behind Parker Messick, Gavin Wiliams and Tanner Bibee who could serve as a swingman option once the postseason rolls around.  

Even though the Guardians’ streak of only needing five starting pitchers was broken last weekend thanks to Logan Allen starting the second game of a doubleheader, the Guardians still have a clear need for another starter. 

Gausman would be a clear fix to that problem. 

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