Blue Jays made eight trades, but keep Guerrero and Bichette

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Now that the trade dust has settled, now that the Blue Jays have dealt eight players within the span of five days as the MLB trade clock officially struck midnight at 6 p.m. ET Tuesday, one begs the question: What Now?

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There’s no playoff berth on the horizon, no prospects among the many acquired in the aftermath of a dizzying stretch who are poised to make an immediate impact, no telling what the Blue Jays will look like once the opening pitch is tossed in 2025.

In order, Yimi Garcia, Nate Pearson, Danny Jansen, Justin Turner, Yusei Kikuchi, Trevor Richards, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Kevin Kiermaier were each traded.

Garcia and Turner have reunited with the Seattle Mariners.

For now, only Joey Loperfido, one of the three players acquired from the Houston Astros in the Kikuchi package, has joined the team.

He was in uniform wearing No. 9 in Baltimore when Loperfido met his new teammates.

He is expected to make his debut Wednesday in the series finale.

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Most, if not all, of the deals swung by the Blue Jays should help a farm system that ranks among the poorest in baseball.

The final trade landed left-handed pitcher Ryan Yarbrough, who came to the Blue Jays when the team traded Kiermaier.

So many players traded, even more players acquired and the many moving pieces will give manager John Schneider plenty to think about when he fills his lineup card.

Whether it’s Ernie Clement about to get a longer run, Spencer Horwitz, Leo Jimenez, Steward Berroa or even an Addison Barger, it remains to be seen how many of the recently acquired players actually play for the big-league club as Toronto plays out the string.

After being DFAed by the Dodgers on Monday to make room for Amed Rosario, Yarbrough should get a chance to showcase himself in the Blue Jays’ bullpen, which is even thinner following the departures of Garcia and Richards.

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When the Jays earlier this season designated Cavan Biggio for assignment, the Dodgers came forward as the two teams orchestrated a trade.

Familiarity helps when making deals, as does winning ball games.

Chris Bassitt was the starting pitcher for the Blue Jays against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. He has one year remaining on his contract after this season.

Kevin Gausman remains under contract, as does Jose Berrios.

The jury is very much still out on Yariel Rodriguez, who couldn’t make it out of the first inning Monday in the first game of a doubleheader.

He was optioned to Triple-A after his start on Monday, but recalled because of the trades.

The Blue Jays still don’t know what they have in Rodriguez, and no one knows what the future holds for the likes of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.

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It’s one thing to trade pending free agents or even part ways with a serviceable player in IKF or a pitcher in Pearson who never lived up to the expectations, but it’s quite another when addressing the bigger picture surrounding the franchise and what path it eventually decides to forge.

The Blue Jays want to compete in 2025 as evidenced by keeping veteran pitchers in Bassitt, Gausman and even Chad Green, by far the most accomplished arm in the Jays’ current pen.

The Blue Jays need a middle-of-the order bat (a role they felt Turner somehow would address), as well as a third baseman, a corner outfield, at least six arms in the pen, not to mention a competent starter.

Pitchers Jordan Romano and Alek Manoah aren’t going to help anytime soon, and there’s a big question when it comes to identifying a true closer.

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The Blue Jays accomplished their trade business and embattled GM Ross Atkins should be applauded, even from the many fans and media who have been calling for his head.

One successful trade deadline does not make a career and keep in mind under this management team with Bichette and Vlad Jr. serving as the faces of the franchise, no playoff games have been won, and none will be won this post-season because the Jays aren’t heading for baseball’s second season.

The last off-season proved an exercise in futility.

This coming off-season is shaping up as one of those make-it or break-it times for the franchise, whose renovation at the ball park is fully completed.

In terms of roster construction, it remains a work in progress.

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The team’s solid work in the days leading up to Tuesday night represents the first step and only the first step of many.

Garcia and Kikuchi may even resurface because each spoke glowingly of their time in Toronto.

Both would certainly be welcomed back with open arms.

The reliever and starter, respectively, were deemed to be the Jays’ best trade chips.

And it would be proven, at least based on the complimentary analysis expressed by those in the business whose business is tracking prospects.

One of the Blue Jays’ busiest trade days in club history officially has wrapped up.

The club will even be busier this coming off-season, when much bigger decisions must be made.

It begins with Vlad Jr., who has gone to arbitration with the club.

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It involves Bichette, whose body language, at least when he’s in uniform, suggests a change in scenery would do him good.

Failing to sign Vlad Jr. to a long-term deal, which is no slam dunk, points to a rebuild, which leads to the question of who will ultimate call the shot.

Kudos to Atkins, his staff and the rest of the team’s management for pulling off trades many in baseball have generally received with favourable reviews.

In the big picture, it might take years for any of the incoming players to emerge as everyday players with the Blue Jays.

While many moves were made, it’s debatable whether the needle moved in terms of the team’s overall direction.

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