MLB Trade Deadline Watch: Toronto Blue Jays are buyers in a sellers market.
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There a potentially 70 players available at the July 31st MLB trade deadline. As buyers, the Toronto Blue Jays have a plethora to choose from in a sellers market.
Even before the four-game sweep over the Yankees that vaulted the Blue Jays into first place in the AL East, GM Ross Atkins said the Blue Jays planned to be buyers ahead of the July 31 trade deadline.
After a compelling but ultimately one-sided series in which the Blue Jays outscored New York 36-23, their stance as buyers has only been reinforced.
Not only is a wild-card berth in play, the AL East is, too, and with that comes the potential of a first-round bye.
Under those circumstances, the question isn't whether the Blue Jays will look to add but rather who.
Many of the players below will be traded somewhere, and many more will be discussed in potential trades, but others will never really be available.
And although the Blue Jays will have preliminary interest in dozens of these players, this list is merely intended to convey a sense of who could be available.
By no means is this a comprehensive look at who the Blue Jays will or should pursue most aggressively.
RIGHT-HANDED BATS
Likely available: Ramón Laureano, Orioles; Luis Robert Jr., White Sox; Amed Rosario, Nationals
Maybe available: Yandy Diaz, Rays; Rob Refsnyder, Red Sox; Alex Bregman, Red Sox; Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles; Harrison Bader, Twins; Andrew McCutchen, Pirates; Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks; Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Diamondbacks; Randal Grichuk, Diamondbacks.
Diamondbacks Eugenio Suárez would be my pick and the most obvious fit in this catagory. Bolibomba Suarez is hitting .250 with an OPS of.897 and has 27 bombs so far this season. The Blue Jays and DBacks also have a good trade history.
The price might be a little higher if the Blue Jays want to pry someone away from their AL East rivals.
RELIEF PITCHERS
Likely available: RHP Seranthony Dominguez, Orioles; LHP Gregory Soto, Orioles; RHP Kyle Finnegan, Nationals; RHP Anthony Bender, Marlins; RHP Calvin Faucher, Marlins; RHP David Bednar, Pirates; RHP Dennis Santana, Pirates; RHP Jake Bird, Rockies
Maybe available: LHP Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox, RHP Andrew Kittredge, Orioles, RHP Félix Bautista, Orioles, RHP Bryan Baker, Orioles; RHP Pete Fairbanks, Rays; RHP Emmanuel Clase, Guardians; RHP John Schreiber, Royals; RHP Chris Martin, Rangers; RHP Shawn Armstrong, Rangers; RHP Kenley Jansen, Angels; RHP Raisel Iglesias, Braves; LHP Aaron Bummer, Braves; RHP Pierce Johnson, Braves; RHP Emilio Pagán, Reds; LHP Taylor Rogers, Reds; RHP Ryan Helsley, Cardinals; RHP Phil Maton, Cardinals; RHP Shelby Miller, Diamondbacks.
The Blue Jays have shopped in both aisles over the years, acquiring flame-throwing rental Jordan Hicks in 2023 and adding middle relievers Adam Cimber and Trevor Richards in 2021.
Yet as Atkins acknowledged Monday, adding both elite relievers and an impact starting pitcher could be a challenge.
Some contenders will have to choose between one or the other, with depth options filling in the gaps.
STARTING PITCHERS
Likely available: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano, Orioles; RHP Charlie Morton, Orioles; RHP Michael Lorenzen, Royals; RHP Aaron Civale, White Sox; RHP Adrian Houser, White Sox; RHP Luis Severino, Athletics; LHP Jeffrey Springs, Athletics; RHP Sandy Alcantara, Marlins; RHP Edward Cabrera, Marlins; RHP Cal Quantrill, Marlins; RHP Michael Soroka, Nationals; RHP Mitch Keller, Pirates; LHP Andrew Heaney, Pirates; LHP Bailey Falter, Pirates; LHP Kyle Freeland, Rockies
Maybe available: RHP Lucas Giolito, Red Sox; RHP Zack Littell, Rays: RHP Seth Lugo, Royals; LHP Tyler Anderson, Angels; RHP Kyle Hendricks, Angels; RHP Jacob deGrom, Rangers; RHP Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers; LHP Patrick Corbin, Rangers; RHP Tyler Mahle, Rangers; RHP Erick Fedde, Cardinals; RHP Miles Mikolas, Cardinals; RHP Nick Martinez, Reds; RHP Zac Gallen, Diamondbacks; RHP Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks; LHP Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks.
The starting pitching market may simultaneously be a buyers' market and a sellers' market.
Or, more specifically, the top end of this market will be a sellers' market, and the bottom end of it may favour buyers.
Source: Sportsnet
Players for Blue Jays to watch ahead of trade deadline
Players for Blue Jays to watch ahead of trade deadline
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 4 | 338 ANSWERS MLB Trade Deadline Watch: Toronto Blue Jays are buyers in a sellers market. What do the Blue Jays need the most at the MLB Trade Deadline? | ||
| Right-handed bat | 15 | 4.4 % |
| Relief pitching | 95 | 28.1 % |
| Starting pitching | 81 | 24 % |
| All of the above | 147 | 43.5 % |
| List of polls | ||
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