{"id":125914,"date":"2026-07-16T22:02:51","date_gmt":"2026-07-17T02:02:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=125914"},"modified":"2026-07-16T22:02:51","modified_gmt":"2026-07-17T02:02:51","slug":"blue-jays-trade-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/07\/16\/blue-jays-trade-deadline\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Jays Trade Deadline: Are They Buyers or Sellers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

At first glance, the Toronto Blue Jays wouldn’t seem to be in a position to be playing baseball in October. They currently stand as the last-place team in the American League East, and they haven’t been playing the brand of baseball we were accustomed to seeing from them in 2025.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will be interesting to see the Blue Jays’ trade deadline approach, and even more so to see how the events of the next few weeks unfold and help determine what that approach will be.<\/p>\n

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Blue Jays Trade Deadline Strategy: Buyers or Sellers?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As mentioned, Toronto doesn’t pass the eye test of a team that should be playing playoff baseball. The Blue Jays will need to improve in several areas<\/a> in the second half if they still hope to. However, they should feel fortunate, as the parity of the American League this season is the reason they remain well within reach of the final Wild Card spot at 2 1\/2 games back. They are part of a crowded Wild Card race that includes the Boston Red Sox, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, and Detroit Tigers, making the Blue Jays’ trade deadline approach even more interesting, with all five teams separated by just 3 1\/2 games in the Wild Card standings.<\/p>\n

The answer to whether the Blue Jays will be buyers or sellers at the trade deadline will be determined over the next few weeks. The messiness of the AL postseason picture has provided a lifeline to the Blue Jays, and they need to use it. The next couple of weeks leading up to the conclusion of July will be the most important stretch of baseball for Toronto, and the direction of the Blue Jays’ trade deadline will be revealed by how they perform during this period.<\/p>\n

If they come out of the first few weeks after the All-Star break still within four games of the final Wild Card spot, you can expect them to be buyers. But if they continue to descend and move further out of the postseason picture (five or more games back), expect to see some Blue Jays pieces start to disappear before the trade deadline.<\/p>\n

What the Blue Jays Need to Add<\/strong>
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Another Arm in the Rotation<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The non-linear progression of the Blue Jays’ starting rotation this year has been a recurring theme. Kevin Gausman<\/a>, Shane Bieber<\/a>, and Trey Yesavage<\/a> have all had their struggles as of late, and the fifth starter role remains vacant. Although Spencer Miles is proving valuable<\/a> by helping to fill gaps in the rotation, it is reasonable to expect they will try to add another starting pitcher if they do become buyers. But who?<\/p>\n

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GM Atkins: Starting pitching is likely atop Blue Jays\u2019 trade deadline wish list, via @bnicholsonsmith<\/a>. pic.twitter.com\/lI3L1uDSFG<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) June 23, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n