Blue Jays' trade deadline needs: Obvious targets, overlooked gems

New York Times

6 days ago

BALTIMORE — Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider sank into a familiar padded chair ahead of Monday's series opener at Camden Yards. It was the same leather seat with faded wood arms that he had perched on just before the 2024 trade deadline.
Last year, the manager watched from his office as Blue Jays veterans zipped by the open door, hoping to avoid a career-changing chat. Those conversations, informing players like Justin Turner and Yusei Kikuchi of trades, were unavoidable last deadline. The team arrived in Baltimore at 50-56, preparing to sell off expiring contracts.
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'The atmosphere,' Schneider said. 'Everyone kind of knew the reality of it, but it was still a little bit tense.'
There's no fear or tension in the Blue Jays clubhouse this year. There will be no mass selloff, with Toronto sitting at 63-44 despite an 11-4 loss to the Orioles on Monday.
The Blue Jays are aiming high at the 2025 deadline, said a league source, looking to inject talent to a surging roster. They'll look to fill key needs — leverage relief, rotation depth and one more bat — for the final stretch to October. Here are some obvious and inconspicuous candidates to fill those needs ahead of Thursday's deadline:
The easiest place for a splashy addition is the back of the bullpen. Leverage relief options are plentiful, and Toronto is in need, with Yimi García's 2025 future uncertain due to an elbow issue.
Emmanuel Clase is presumably off the market, as the Cleveland closer has been placed on non-disciplinary paid leave through the end of August amid Major League Baseball's sports betting investigation. Minnesota's Griffin Jax and Jhoan Durán, who both own elite strikeout weapons, remain available. The 30-year-old Jax, as Aaron Gleeman wrote yesterday, is likely the cheaper of the two. Pittsburgh's David Bednar and St. Louis' Ryan Helsley represent the next tier of high-leverage options.
There's depth in the lower tiers of the relief market this year, too, with several set-up men and middle relievers rattling off top seasons. The Jays, expected to add multiple relievers at the deadline, will likely trade for at least one from this range. Minnesota lefty Danny Coulombe, a pending free agent, entered Monday with a 1.16 ERA and 1.96 FIP. Baltimore's Andrew Kittredge is back to his career norms after missing the first two months due to a knee injury.
Another under-the-radar option is Cardinals veteran Phil Maton, who built a decade-long career as an unheralded middle reliever. From 2017 through 2023, he owned an exactly league average ERA (4.25) and recorded just one save. But, quietly, since a 2024 deadline swap to the Mets, Maton has been one of the best right-handed relievers in MLB. His breaking pitches move more than ever and he added a sinker to his pitch mix. Maton owns a 2.35 ERA this season, with the peripheral numbers of an elite closer.
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Schneider said he felt 'really good' about Toronto's current starting rotation ahead of Monday's loss in Baltimore. Max Scherzer's thumb is seemingly a back-burner issue, Eric Lauer is dealing and Alek Manoah creeps closer to MLB contributions.
If Joe Ryan or Sandy Alcantara walk into Toronto's clubhouse after the deadline, they'd have a rotation spot. But stability in the starting five makes an optionable depth starter or swingman appear an easier fit with the Jays.
Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics, who's started 57 games and relieved in 110 throughout his career, is one obvious swingman option. Steven Matz (Cardinals) and Sean Newcomb (Athletics) both own a sub-four ERA this season, bouncing from the rotation to bullpen.
Even with Daulton Varsho and Andrés Giménez closing in on big league returns, the Jays could use one more bat at the deadline. Anthony Santander remains weeks away from hitting due to an early-season shoulder injury, and Toronto could target a rental power hitter to replace his switch-hitting slug.
Baltimore's Ramon Laureano, who homered against the Jays on Monday, brings a similar skillset to Santander. He plays both outfield corners, hits left- and right-handed pitching and is on pace for 23 homers despite partial playing time. Outfielders Taylor Ward (Angels), Luis Robert (White Sox) and Adolis García (Rangers) supply similar profiles when in peak form.
Or, the Jays could shift from the power-based targets, swinging big for Cleveland's Steven Kwan. With one of the league's best outfield arms and elite contact skills, Kwan has been a well-above-average hitter in three of his four MLB seasons. Kwan is hitting .285 this year with 111 hits in 99 games.
The Guardians, as Will Sammon and Andrew Baggarly wrote on Sunday, are 'notoriously hard to strike deals,' according to other executives. But the Jays, with plenty of front office connections in Cleveland, have made it work in recent seasons, acquiring Andrés Giménez and Nick Sandlin in the offseason most recently.
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Springer left Monday's ninth inning after he was struck in the head by a 96 mph fastball from Baltimore reliever Kade Strowd. After Toronto's medical staff helped Springer to his feet, the veteran walked off the field under his own power.
'He's doing all right,' Schneider said. 'Kind of got him in the shoulder, then the helmet. Thankfully he was able to turn a little bit, too.'
Springer met with Toronto's doctors after the contest, and the team will determine if further testing is needed.
(Top photo of Joe Ryan: Matt Krohn / Getty Images)