Blue Jays Linked to Yankees Top Trade Target Ahead of Deadline

The Toronto Blue Jays have secured a playoff spot at the moment, thanks to an incredible month of June and July. However, the season is far from over, and as the Blue Jays have shown for some parts over the past two seasons, things can get strange with them. 

Despite that, the Blue Jays understood heading into the year that if they weren’t playing well at the deadline, there was likely a chance they could be sellers. Fast forward to mid-July, and the Blue Jays appear to be guaranteed buyers. 

Regarding what they could be looking for, it’s all but certain that the Blue Jays will go out and add another arm. It wouldn’t make much sense for a contending team not to, as every contender will be in the market for a starter, except possibly for one or two teams. 

When looking at players who could be traded, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently suggested a lengthy trade involving the Blue Jays and the Arizona Diamondbacks, landing Arizona’s ace Merrill Kelly.

“In the final season of a three-year, $24 million deal, Kelly has again been a reliable workhorse starter, going 8-5 with a 3.34 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 113 strikeouts in 116 innings. The 36-year-old was a standout during the 2023 postseason, going 3-1 with a 2.25 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 24 innings as the No. 2 starter behind Zac Gallen. Best Landing Spot: Toronto Blue Jays

“The Blue Jays rank 25th in the majors with a 4.60 ERA from their starting rotation, and while Max Scherzer is back healthy, they continue to look for consistency behind the veteran trio of José Berríos, Kevin Gausman and Chris Bassitt,” he wrote.

What Positions Do the Blue Jays Need to Address?

The Toronto Blue Jays also have some other areas they need to address, mainly in their lineup. However, because the Blue Jays’ farm system is below average, and they may not feel the need to acquire a big-time bat, some don’t expect that to be the case. 

That includes The Athletic, which noted that while the Blue Jays have stated they want a right-handed bat, their pitching injuries have piled up. 

“At the start of July, Blue Jays GM Ross Atkins identified a right-handed bat as one of Toronto’s deadline priorities. Since then, Davis Schneider has a .954 OPS with four homers in July. At the same time, three Blue Jays relievers have gone on the injured list this month, exacerbating a clear need to add pitching. Atkins will go all in on pitching at the deadline, trusting Schneider to fill the righty role,” Mitch Bannon wrote.

Which Diamondbacks Ace Should the Blue Jays Want?

The one thing the Toronto Blue Jays need to be cautious about regarding the Arizona Diamondbacks is who they plan to trade. 

Unfortunately, the Diamondbacks have been hampered by injuries, and it doesn’t appear to be anything they can fix at this rate. However, because of those injuries, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that it’s unlikely that they trade both Zac Gallen and Kelly. If the Blue Jays could walk away with at least one of them, it shouldn’t matter too much.

“On the flip side, if the Diamondbacks sell, they are unlikely to trade both Gallen and Kelly, according to sources briefed on their plans. The DBacks already are without Corbin Burnes and Jordan Montgomery. If they subtract both Gallen and Kelly, they might not have enough young pitching to get through the season,” Rosenthal reported.

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