The Toronto Blue Jays and San Diego Padres are reportedly having ongoing talks about a trade that would send right-hander Marcus Stroman to the West Coast, sources told Jon Morosi of MLB.com.
Morosi adds a potential Blue Jays-Padres trade likely wouldn't involve any of San Diego's "most elite prospects," such as Fernando Tatis Jr. or Mackenzie Gore. However, pitching prospects Michel Baez and Logan Allen, both of whom are ranked among the Padres' top 10 prospects by MLB Pipeline, could be included in a deal.
While the Padres have asked Toronto about Stroman, a trade isn't thought to be close to completion, according to MLB.com's AJ Cassavell.
Stroman, a former first-round pick who was a key contributor to the Blue Jays' playoff teams in 2015 and '16, is coming off the worst season of his career. The 27-year-old struggled with blister issues and posted a 5.54 ERA and 1.48 WHIP in only 19 starts in 2018, failing to reach the 200-inning mark for the first time in three years.
The former Gold Glove winner has another two years of arbitration eligibility remaining and is projected by MLB Trade Rumors to earn $7.2 million next year.
Stroman's name has come up in trade rumors throughout this offseason. General manager Ross Atkins acknowledged that the team could end up trading either Stroman or fellow right-hander Aaron Sanchez, but conceded during the winter meetings that the likelihood of either getting dealt was "not high."
The Cincinnati Reds have also been heavily linked to Stroman this winter.
