The Toronto Blue Jays‘ trade deadline needs are slowly emerging from the cracks. Between now and the August 1 trade deadline, the Blue Jays will be in the market for reinforcements, whether for the rotation, bullpen, or lineup. Prices are now high on viable options that can help down the stretch. However, general manager Ross Atkins must start seeing what’s out there sooner. Whatever the trade deadline does for Toronto should push them to compete in the American League East or even a Wild Card spot. These areas will need some tweaking, especially with the caliber roster they have right now.
Editors note: All stats were provided June 16, 2023.
Blue Jays Trade Deadline Needs
Starting Pitching Depth
The Blue Jays have a great rotation with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, José Berríos and Yusei Kikuchi. Their team 3.92 ERA, is seventh in the American League and they lead the majors in strikeouts with 675. The four have done a tremendous job since Alek Manoah is down in Florida, retooling his game. Besides that, it’s become clear that Toronto needs starting pitching. Their most significant need from Manoah is for him to get back on track; if he does, that’s a bonus for them. Ideally, someone like Mitch White, Thomas Hatch or Zach Thompson could have established themselves as viable options, but they aren’t promising options. The team could continue to have bullpen days like the one against the Minnesota Twins. Still, the safer option is to find another arm. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the player is an All-Star type starter, but a depth solution until Manoah or Hyun Jin Ryu is ready to come back into the fold. But how much can you count on Ryu as he’s coming off of Tommy John surgery?
Internal vs. External Pitching Options
#BlueJays pitching plans:
Trevor Richards could push closer to 65 pitches today after throwing 53 last time out.Bowden Francis sounds like the plan somewhere in the middle with Mitch White another bulk option, and it could be another good day to get 2.0 IP from Nate Pearson.
— Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 17, 2023
If not, then the Blue Jays could pivot to stretching out Nate Pearson to help with that fifth spot in the rotation. Pearson has done well since his return to the majors, cutting his walk rate to 5.7%. In innings four-six, batters are hitting .273/.346.546 with a 1.33 SO/W. But, in innings seven-nine, batters are.155/.197/.259 with a 10.50 SO/W. While these are internal options, the Blue Jays should be aggressive at the deadline for a pitcher. Lucas Giolito, a pending unrestricted free agent, is on a struggling Chicago White Sox team that could be sellers. He’s having a respectable campaign with a 5-4 record and a 3.54 ERA in 81 1/3 innings. He has 84 strikeouts against 25 walks as he has a bWAR of 2.1. That’s a move Toronto could explore in weeks.
Bullpen Requirements Aren’t the Same as Years Past
While the #BlueJays remain close in the AL Wild Card chase, they have let a handful of closer games and/or leads slip away with the bullpen this season. It has especially been true past the 7th inning, where their team ERA after Saturday’s collapse to MIN now ranks 4th worst here pic.twitter.com/Npz56KoPXM
— StatsCentre (@StatsCentre) June 11, 2023
This year, the Blue Jays bullpen has improved from years past. They have the fourth-best-high-best high-leverage ERA. The Jays’ four most-used pitchers in leverage (Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza and Pearson) all have ERAs under 3.00 and FIPS below 3.70. They have seven blown saves and a 76% save conversion rate, which are second-best in baseball. Toronto’s overall production is there, but there have been struggles in other innings. If it’s a late three-run lead or tied up, the Blue Jays have the 24th-ranked relief ERA (4.53). That’s due to the inconsistencies from Adam Cimber, Yimi García, and the recently DFA’d Anthony Bass. Closing out games isn’t the issue here; maintaining leads has challenged this bullpen.
The bullpen is a deadline requirement, but different from the past two. They need stability in the sixth inning and on, and an argument could be made that Ross Atkins should add another setup man, building a deep bullpen to succeed in October. Bring in Aroldis Chapman, Liam Hendriks, Joe Kelly or Scott Barlow. Maintain those leads with arms that have much more urgency and experience.
Add A Depth Bat
Another depth bat would be their push for the playoffs. They’ve had a reasonably productive offense in 2023, ranking sixth in the American League in both runs scored and slugging percentage (.421) and fourth in on-base percentage (.331). Those numbers are respectable, considering Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and others have yet to break through from their underperformances. But there’s also the potential for injury. Relying far too much on a bench that’s been inconsistent isn’t the answer. Instead, by adding one more impact bat on the bench, they’d improve their chances of being an offensive juggernaut. The Blue Jays should inquire about a right-handed hitter, especially an outfielder who would make sense production-wise. If the Blue Jays want to go that route (which they should), now is the time to start looking for options to bring in.
Photo Credit: © Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, José Berrios, Yusei Kikuchi, Alek Manoah, Mitch White, Thomas Hatch, Zach Thompson Hyun Jin Ryu, Nate Pearson, Lucas Giolito, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Jordan Romano, Erik Swanson, Tim Mayza, Adam Cimber, Yimi García, Anthony Bass, Aroldis Chapman, Liam Hendriks, Joe Kelly, Scott Barlow
