Pittsburgh Pirates Rumors: Blue Jays Interested in McCutchen

On the other side of the ball, the Blue Jays have numerous pitching prospects to offer.  Sean Reid-Foley would be their most valuable pitcher to acquire as he is a top 100 prospect.   Another pitching prospect of interest would be 2016 first round pick and University of Pittsburgh product T.J Zuech.  Many fans were hoping to see the Pitt grad Zuech last year.  He fits their mold as a physically big and ground-ball pitcher. Then looking at Baseball America’s top ten list, they have right-handed pitcher Connor Greene at #4, #9 prospect and 2015 first round pick Jon Harris, and #10 prospect Justin Maese.

For the Blue Jays to acquire McCutchen it will no doubt cost the Blue Jays at least three of the prospects listed above.  Yes, they are all ranked in the top ten, but the Blue Jays system is ranked in the bottom half of the league.  Now this is not to say that these prospects are not good, as a few of them are considered top 100 prospects.  The issue is none of them are the elite level prospect like Robles or Giolito were.  This is why it would take at least two of their top five prospects and another top ten.