Jeff Blair

But keep in mind that the Jays, as they have done in the past three years, they will be players at the top end of the free agent market this year.

They will make an offer on Tarek Skubal.

That doesn't mean he's going to sign here, obviously, but they will be in that market.

So I guess the question for the Blue Jays more than anything else is, how do you value Dalton Varshow?

What do you think he is as a player?

Who do you think he is as a player?

Can you do better than that?

We know that the Jays like his makeup.

We know that the Jays really like the idea of keeping their core group together.

They certainly paid a pretty hefty price to trade for Dalton Varshow, but...

Things are a little different now because, as I mentioned a little earlier with regards to Tarek Skubal, the Jays are going to be at the top end of any free agent market.

So if Dalton Varshow doesn't come back or if they decide they want to pivot from Dalton Varshow, they will be in the market for whatever other elite outfielders there are.

And this is...

So something to keep in mind as we approach the trade deadline.

We don't approach it.

We're still a few months away.

But as we get to the trade deadline and as trade talks pick up, there is a potential of a labor stoppage as well.

We really don't know how that is going to impact.

We don't really know how teams are going to react to that, and we'll just have to wait and see.

But clearly, a decision has to be made in Dalton Varshow.