The Toronto Blue Jays have had a great winter. Despite losing Game 7 of the World Series to the reigning champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Toronto has had an aggressive offseason of moves. They are showing no signs of slowing down with the new faces they have brought into the organization. Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, Kazuma Okamoto, Spencer Miles, Jorge Alcala, and Chase Lee will all factor onto the team in one way or another. However, these additions likely push out at least one of Eric Lauer, Jose Berrios, or Bowden Francis.
Heavy.com has proposed a trade with the Atlanta Braves that would clear up the rotation clutter. This proposal would also free up a roster spot, making signing Kyle Tucker and Bo Bichette an achievable reality.
Blue Jays Acquire:
- Conor Essenburg
Braves Acquire:
- Jose Berrios
- Anthony Santander
This trade proposal solves multiple problems for both teams. For the Braves, it gives the disgruntled Berrios a landing spot where he can shine and provide stability to a rotation that needs it. Anthony Santander could have a bounce-back season, giving the Braves more power.
The Blue Jays add a 19-year-old prospect, who isn’t even close to being the best in their system. However, Conor Essenburg has an interesting profile. He is listed as an outfielder, but he loves to pitch.
Why Trade Jose Berrios & Anthony Santander to the Braves
The focus of this package for the Braves would be acquiring Berrios. According to one MLB insider, Berrios could be a “wild card” addition who would help out the team’s rotation.
“The 31-year-old, two-time All-Star has made 30-plus starts each of the past four seasons for the Blue Jays, and he posted a sub-4.00 ERA in two of those seasons,” Mark Bowman wrote on January 7th, 2026. “He might not be a difference maker, but there’s value in the 30-plus starts he has provided on an annual basis.”
In the same piece, Bowman reasons that the Braves aren’t going to be able to land one of Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, or Ranger Suarez. Primarily, because they “would lose the 26th overall pick in next summer’s MLB Draft and the bonus pool money attached to this pick.”
The Braves have also been linked to Freddy Peralta and Mackenzie Gore, but the price tag for those hurlers is going to be much higher than for Berrios.
Despite fighting off two injuries, Berrios still started 30 games in 2025. He managed to throw 138 strikeouts in 166 innings, earning a 4.17 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.
Santander was limited to 54 games last year. In those few games, he recorded 18 RBIs and six home runs. However, he has smashed at least 28 home runs and 89 RBIs in the three years previous to last year. He can give the Braves an offensive weapon for a season, allowing their prospects to develop more and get closer to being big-league-ready.
The aging slugger also gives them an additional option in the outfield, where they only have five players listed on their 40-man roster.
How Trading Berrios & Santander Helps Sign Tucker & Bichette
The Blue Jays’ depth chart is crowded, but in a good way. They have a few players who have great utility in Ernie Clement and Addison Barger.
As Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote earlier this month, trading away Nathan Lukes or Santander is a likely path to adding Tucker to the roster. This is especially true after Okamoto’s addition to the team.
“While further space could always be cleared if needed, the Blue Jays do have a full 40-man roster after adding Okamoto,” Nicholson-Smith wrote. “Nathan Lukes may be on the outside looking in after the Okamoto deal, as it pushes Barger to the outfield with Anthony Santander and Daulton Varsho. Adding someone like Tucker would presumably require a corresponding trade of an outfielder like Santander or Lukes.”
By subtracting Santander, it gives the Blue Jays more options. It gives the roster enough flexibility to add Tucker and Bichette.
Kyle Tucker & Bo Bichette
There is no secret when it comes to what Tucker and Bichette could bring to the lineup. For Bichette, it means bringing back a slugger who hit 18 home runs and drove in 94 runs in 2025.
For Tucker, it means adding a slugger who is fast on his feet. Not only did he collect 22 home runs and 73 RBIs off 133 hits, but he also stole 25 bases.
Tucker would find a regular position in the Blue Jays outfield, while Bichette would man second base. Okamoto will be a utility player for the team, being able to roam to any position that needs him. That even includes first base, which could allow Vladimir Guerrero Jr to DH.
A Quick Word About Conor Essenburg
Essenburg has an interesting profile. He is the ninth-best Braves prospect, who has potential as both a hitter and a pitcher.
“His aggressive swing, bat speed, and strength give him 20-homer upside,” the official scouting report states. “He fits in right field with fringy-to-average speed, and the arm strength that made him a legitimate pitching prospect is clearly an asset. It’s also unclear what might be unlocked when he starts focusing on hitting only.”
“There’s always the backup plan of having a low-90s fastball and mid-70s breaker.”
No matter which way you slice it, this trade pitch could work out for both teams. The Braves get the help they need on bats and on the mound without giving up an asset that makes them better today. In exchange, the Blue Jays get roster flexibility, allowing them to more conceivably sign both Tucker and Bichette.
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