Now that the free agent source has all but dried up, it’s time to turn to the trade market. Overall, there have been few transactions in MLB, but the activity may finally be kicking into high gear as key players sign new deals.
The Blue Jays have spent the most money in free agency of any team this offseason, but this could be the time for them to address some holes in their roster. These are three impact position player trade targets to consider to help them defend the American League crown.
Steven Kwan
Is it really the offseason until the Blue Jays and Guardians don’t team up for an under-the-radar trade? Steven Kwan attracted a lot of interest at last year’s trade deadline, but nothing materialized. Then in September, the Guardians went on a 20-7 run and made history by overcoming a 15.5-game deficit in the American League Central.
Even though they’ve been in their third season for the past four years, it would be very Guardians-like if they sold a star player high before they become too expensive in arbitration or demand a significant contract extension. Kwan is under team control for the 2026 and 2027 seasons and avoided arbitration, with his salary set at $7.25 million for the 2026 campaign.
As a top-tier lefty who excels at putting the bat on the ball and plays plus defense, Kwan fits into any lineup, and while it may take some adjustment, the same goes for the Blue Jays. Since he is so valuable on both sides of the ball, they were able to find a way to work Kwan into their lineup as much as possible.
The argument for not bringing Kwan on board is that they already have a player with the same skill set and a much lower salary: Nathan Lukes. Kwan posted a 99 wRC+ in 2025, while Lukes owned a 103 wRC+. Much of Kwan’s value is rooted in his baserunning and defense.
Steven Kwan opens the game with a homerun! #GuardiansBall
However, Kwan would be an everyday fixture in the Blue Jays’ lineup, while Lukes played just 37 games against left-handed starters in 2025, so his splits are a bit more pronounced than Kwan’s.
As much as everyone was eager to witness Lukes’ long-awaited breakthrough after 11 years in the minor leagues, an element of regression is to be expected with a player of that caliber. Steamer projects him to have a 0.9 fWAR season in 2026, while Kwan projects a 2.8 fWAR season.
A trade for a player like Kwan would mean parting ways with someone like Lukes (in that trade, or a subsequent deal to free up a roster spot), but going after a player like Kwan would provide more than just an incremental upgrade in the outfield for the Blue Jays.
That’s a spot on the roster where they can easily raise the floor and make this lineup (and defense) much more formidable in 2026.
Brendan Donovan
Donovan played the majority of his games with the Cardinals last year at second base, but he also saw time at outfield corner and shortstop, even though second base is his birth position.
Acquiring a player like Donovan would bump someone like Ernie Clement or Davis Schneider down the depth chart, as Donovan presents an upgrade over both established players. The real benefit of getting someone like Donovan is that he hits righties well, something neither Clement nor Schneider offers.
“Is there value in keeping Brendan Donovan? Yes!” @KGibb44 thinks the Cardinals should keep Brendan Donovan because of his low swing and miss profile.
If the Blue Jays could put together some sort of Donovan/Schneider or Donovan/Clement platoon at second base, it would give the team a more versatile option at the cornerstone position. And like Schneider, Donovan can play capably in the outfield, which makes me wonder if Schneider would be an expendable player in a roster logjam.
There isn’t a lot of power in Donovan’s bat, but with the way he’s hitting for a high average in the .280 range, he only needs to hit about fifteen home runs to be a solid right-handed infield bat for the Blue Jays. Donovan is also under team control until 2027, and the St. Louis Cardinals don’t appear to have any interest in competing in the coming years.
The question is whether the Blue Jays can convince the Cardinals with a tempting trade package to fend off all the other teams that are sure to circle around the Cards like a pack of rabid hyenas.
Xavier Edwards
The Miami Marlins are not typically known for drafting and developing up-and-coming hitters, but they are starting to turn heads with a group of young, promising position players working their way up the ranks. One player that may be completely off your radar is Xavier Edwards.
Entering his fourth season in the major leagues, he capped off an impressive 2025 campaign, slashing .283/.343/.355 in 139 games with the Marlins. With just four career home runs in 239 games, power isn’t the name of his game, but his Luis Arraez-like ability to hit for a high average and high contact numbers should entice a team like the Blue Jays, which craves bat-to-ball skills and low strikeout totals.
Edwards’ speed is another strong selling feature, as he stole 28 bases in 33 attempts last year. His wheels also helped him rack up 20 doubles and five triples last year. Despite the home run power, Edwards’ speed still makes him an extra-base threat.
With five years of team control remaining, Edwards would have the highest value on the trade market, as a turnkey starting second baseman for any team. His impressive defensive value shouldn’t be underestimated either, as he finished third in OOA (Outs Above Average) at second base in 2025 (Andres Gimenez finished second, by the way).
A trade like this would be more of a long-term strategy for the Blue Jays, as Edwards is still only 26 years old, but there are still upsides for this young infielder. He probably won’t develop much power at the plate, but the speed, contact and defense are intriguing for a team like the Blue Jays looking to improve their roster in every way possible for 2026 and beyond.
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