As momentum keeps building, Blue Jays need to add pitching depth as July 31 trade deadline nears
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Following the team's upcoming three-game series against the visiting Bronx Bombers, the Jays will be in Detroit for a four-game set before heading to Baltimore for a four-game series.
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By the time the Jays return home on Aug. 1 to play host to the Kansas City, the July 31 trade deadline would have expired.
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It's no secret the Jays will be buyers as opposed to sellers last season when the team's fortunes were much different and decidedly dour.
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Pitching remains that elusive element every team covets, especially the Blue Jays, who could use a starter and a high-leverage reliever.
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Hitting isn't that far behind.
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An encouraging sign would emerge Sunday when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit his first home run since June 29, a blast that came in Boston.
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The belt did seem to provide a jolt as Vlad Jr. then drove in three runs in the series opener against the Yankees, who were handed a four-game sweep.
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If history is to be repeated, Vlad Jr. needs to be a presence at the plate.
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Anthony Santander is back with the team and was in the dugout as he continues to deal with a shoulder injury.
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Daulton Varsho is making his way back following a hamstring injury.
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Say what you want about Vlad Jr., but his primary ability has been his availability, which shouldn't be viewed as some game-changing feature because everyone knows he must come at least close to that air carrier status befitting a franchise face.
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In the 13 games following his three-RBI game against the Yankees heading into the series finale against the San Francisco Giants, Vlad Jr. drove in a combined two runs.
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Since his homer at Fenway, Vlad Jr. had three total extra-base hits before he took Robbie Ray deep in Sunday's first inning, the first of three home runs the Jays would hit.
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The way the likes of Bo Bichette, George Springer, who is closing in on last year's home run and RBI numbers, and Addison Barger have been swinging the bat, hitting may not necessarily be among the most pressing issues the team will have to address as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.
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Vlad Jr. changes the whole dynamic, but he needs to be launching balls and not simply hitting sharply hit balls that excite fans fixated on exit velocity.
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