{"id":58888,"date":"2023-06-17T19:41:34","date_gmt":"2023-06-17T23:41:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=58888"},"modified":"2023-06-17T19:41:34","modified_gmt":"2023-06-17T23:41:34","slug":"blue-jays-trade-deadline-options","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2023\/06\/17\/blue-jays-trade-deadline-options\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Jays Trade Deadline Priorities: The Biggest Needs Down the Stretch"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>‘ 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Editors note: All stats were provided June 16, 2023.<\/em><\/p>\n

Blue Jays Trade Deadline Needs<\/span><\/h2>\n

Starting Pitching Depth<\/span><\/h3>\n

The Blue Jays have a great rotation with Kevin Gausman, Chris Bassitt, Jos\u00e9 Berr\u00edos 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<\/a>. 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?<\/span><\/p>\n

Internal vs. External Pitching Options<\/span><\/h3>\n
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#BlueJays<\/a> pitching plans:
\nTrevor Richards<\/a> could push closer to 65 pitches today after throwing 53 last time out.<\/p>\n

Bowden Francis<\/a> 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Keegan Matheson (@KeeganMatheson) June 17, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n