Eric Lauer returned to MLB from KBO and quietly became one of the Blue Jays’ most consistent pieces last season. 28 appearances, 15 starts, 3.18 ERA, 1.108 WHIP, a 9-2 record, and a 2.2 bWAR in over 104 innings. Not an All-Star. Not an ace. But the kind of pitcher every contender team needs.
And now, just days before pitchers and catchers report, he’s being mentioned as a “tradable asset.”
It sounds paradoxical.
Toronto just spent hundreds of millions of dollars strengthening their rotation with Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, and retaining Shane Bieber. In theory, they have one of the deepest staffs in the league. When a team has too many quality starters, market logic kicks in: turn the “excess” into something you’re missing.
Bleacher Report recently suggested that Lauer could bring in a quality prospect, or even a swingman to improve the lineup. With a salary of around $5 million after arbitration, he’s a viable and realistic asset.
But the question isn’t “is he tradeable?”
It’s “should I trade him?”
The Blue Jays’ current rotation is almost entirely right-handed. Lauer is the only left-y who can both start and swingman when needed. In a 162-game season, that role is significant. He’s not just a backup option — he’s insurance.
And insurance only really comes into play when accidents happen.
The pitching depth looked great in February. But by June, when arms start to ache, minor injuries accumulate, and the packed schedule starts to wear down rotation, a reliable swingman can be the difference between a 95-win team and one struggling with wild card.
The Blue Jays were just two outs away from winning the World Series. They understand better than anyone that small details can decide an entire season. If they trade Lauer and then a starter gets injured in April, the story will immediately change.
Of course, the other side of the coin is also intriguing.
Toronto still have gaps in their lineup. They’ve pursued big names on the free market but without success. If Lauer can bring in a stable bat, especially in a position lacking depth, it could be a proactive move rather than a defensive one.
The problem is, Lauer isn’t the kind of pitcher who’s easily replaced.
He’s proven his adaptability: starting when needed, going into the bullpen when needed. He maintains a steady tempo, not explosive but rarely collapsing either. In a star-studded lineup, sometimes it’s the “quieter” players who lay the foundation for victory.
General manager Ross Atkins is facing a delicate decision. Trading Lauer could optimize assets. Keeping Lauer could preserve stability.
This isn’t a good-or-bad decision. It’s a risk-or-safe decision.
And with a team that’s just reached the peak but hasn’t yet crossed the final threshold, the question is: Are the Blue Jays planning for the long term… or are they willing to gamble that their current rotation is strong enough to avoid the insurance policy of Eric Lauer?
Because sometimes, what you think is “superfluous” is exactly what you wish you had kept when the season starts to fall apart.
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