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Olney: Stroman may be available via trade this season

The past week has been rough for the Toronto Blue Jays.

After losing eight of their last 10 games, Toronto finds themselves eight games under .500, and 10.5 games out of the division. With the team’s recent struggles, there are reports that the club could go into complete “sell mode” at the trade deadline.

During his appearance on TSN Radio in Toronto, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that the Blue Jays’ front office is prepared to make a “hard right-hand turn into retooling or rebuilding.” That rebuild could include ace Marcus Stroman, as teams are reportedly scouting the 26-year-old in anticipation that he could become available via trade this season.

Olney lists the Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and the New York Yankees as teams who could show interest in Stroman. The three teams he mentioned are all looking to add non-rental starting pitchers prior to this year’s deadline.

If the Blue Jays are looking to completely rebuild, trading Stroman may be a wise choice. The 26-year-old has arbitration rights until 2020, which could be around the time the Blue Jays complete their rebuild. With club control remaining, he could be back with an enticing group of prospects that could help begin the club’s rebuilding process.

Here’s what Olney had to say during his radio appearance in regards to Stroman’s availability:

“The question becomes would the Blue Jays actually move (Stroman). If I were sitting in their shoes, and you knew you were wanting to make the decision you’re going to blow up the team this summer, absolutely you would take a serious look at whatever offer you were to get because the time they would finish some kind of a retooling cycle, Marcus would be getting very close to free agency. So, absolutely you would take a look at it. Plus in terms of the pitching part of it, you ask yourself the question, ‘what is Marcus Stroman going to be moving forward, is this what he’s going to be?’ and if the answer is yes, then you would probably look to move him sooner rather than later.”

For the Yankees, it may be a long-shot to acquire Stroman from the Blue Jays. The teams have partnered in trades in the past, but it’s been a while since the two agreed on any type of deal. The last trade between the two clubs came on July 1, 2002, when the Yankees acquired Raul Mondesi for Scott Wiggins.

However, let’s not forget that the Yankees once acquired an ace from the Blue Jays. On February 18, 1999, the Yankees sent David Wells, Graeme Lloyd and Homer Bush to the Blue Jays in exchange for Roger Clemens.

Can history repeat itself?

If the Yankees want to acquire Stroman, it’s very likely that the price tag will be very steep. The price may be well worth it, as the Bronx Bombers would acquire a quality starting pitcher with three years of club control remaining. It’s all speculation at this point, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Yankees inquire about Stroman’s services.

As of now, there are no reports of official trade talks, but that could change as the trade deadline looms closer. With the Blue Jays looking more and more like sellers, they will definitely be an interesting team to watch over the next month.