MLB trade rumors: Blue Jays ‘highly unlikely’ to trade J.A. Happ despite Brewers’ interest

The Blue Jays are “highly unlikely” to trade left-hander J.A. Happ despite interest from the Brewers and others, as FOX’s Ken Rosenthal reports. Toronto would likely to hang on to Happ as they look to contend next season.

Milwaukee is searching for controllable starting pitching, most notably being linked to Athletics right-hander Sonny Gray in recent days. Happ, who is earning $13 million this year and will earn an additional $13 million next year, has been mentioned in some rumors as it has become more apparent that Toronto will sell before the deadline.

The Jays, who are currently tied with the Orioles for fourth in the AL East with a 42-49 mark, are unlikely to deal any of their controllable players like Happ, Marcus Stroman or Josh Donaldson before the end of the month. The more likely candidates to be dealt are pending free agents like Joe Smith, Marco Estrada and Francisco Liriano, though it’s unclear how much value those guys will have.

Happ, 34, owns a 3.54 ERA in 11 starts for Toronto this season. He finished sixth in AL Cy Young voting last season after going 20-4 with a 3.18 ERA in his first season as a Jay.